Pisces the two fishswim throughthe unfathomable depthsBody and soul bound bythe silver cordThe soul struggles tobreak free of its earthly bondsto reunite with the Sourceand bring Light to the World

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

No fairy tale relates the soul’s journey of Pisces more poignantly than Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Little Mermaid’. She undergoes sacrifice, great physical pain and personal suffering in return for the attainment of an ideal. She surrenders her beautiful voice, severs her links with her loved ones, and endures unbearable physical pain with every step she takes in return for an immortal soul and the love of a mortal prince who is unattainable. Redeemed from her suffering, she spends the rest of her life in service to others. Both Pisces and its polar opposite sign, Virgo, symbolise service.

Happy birthday to all the Pisceans, who celebrate their birthdays between February 19 and March 20. Pisces, whose symbol is the two fish swimming in opposite directions, is one of the three water signs. Pisces is one of four mutable signs the others being Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius.

The constellation Pisces comprises the northern and the southern fish, joined together by a rope attached to each of their tails. The fish and the cord form a giant horizontal “V,” at the apex of which is Pisces’s brightest star, Al Rescha, an Arabic word meaning “the Cord” Esoterically the two fish symbolise the Body and the Soul held together by a band – the Sutratma of Eastern philosophy, the Silver Cord in the Bible. The journey of the two fish is symbolic of the journey of humanity toward evolution in consciousness as the soul tries to free itself from the bondage of the ego.

The Age of Pisces
The outgoing Age of Pisces was marked by the birth of Christ, and Christianity commemorates His crucifixion and resurrection, so Pisces is the archetype of the Saviour which represents great suffering and redemption. Pisces falls during Lent, the period of fasting which precedes Easter. During the 500 years before Jesus’ birth, many of the founders of today’s religions were born, including Buddha, Zoroaster, Lao-tse and Confucius. Jesus’ ministry not only laid the foundation for the 2000 year period now coming to a close but for a 26,000 year period referred to as ‘the Great Year’. The Piscean symbolism permeates Christianity. ‘Icthys’, the Greek name for Jesus, means fish. The twelve disciples of Jesus were from the ranks of fishermen. Jesus is said to have fed the multitudes with loaves and fishes. In the early days of Christianity in Rome, Christians, fearing persecution, would identify each other by drawing a picture of a fish in the sand or have a fish painted on the palm of their hand. The Age of Pisces has been marked by religious devotion and worship whereas the Age of Aquarius will focus on cultivating the Divine within humanity.

Neptune the Ruler of Pisces
Pisces’s ruling planet, Neptune, or Poseidon as he was known to the Greeks, ruled over his watery domain with his trident in his hand. In Greek mythology the universe was divided into three realms assigned to the three brothers. The heavens were assigned to Zeus-Jupiter, Hades-Pluto ruled over the Underworld, and Poseidon-Neptune ruled the oceans. The glyph for Neptune is a pictograph of the trident held in the hands of Poseidon. Neptune’s trident is his attribute of power reflecting the lunar crescent which links him to the realms of the instincts and watery depths of the unconscious. Before the planet Neptune was discovered in 1846 Jupiter ruled Pisces. When each planet is discovered it indicates a new level of evolution in the consciousness of humanity. As mentioned in my previous article, Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, was discovered at the time of the French revolution and the American War of Independence, while the discovery of Neptune coincided with the spiritualist movement and the founding of the Theosophical Society. Neptune’s two moons, Oberon and Titania which bear the names of the King and Queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Nights Dream’ are symbolic of the dream-like, elusive quality of Pisces and its ruler, Neptune. We can gain an idea of the power of Neptune from the Tower card as depicted in Liz Greene’s Mythic Tarot in which Poseidon, portrayed with a fish’s tail, points his trident at the tower, causing lightning to strike it and cracks begin to appear in its edifice. Neptune rules spirituality and the arts. In its capacity as the planet of spirituality it teaches us non-attachment, because as soon as we identify with a thought, a possession, or a loved one, Neptune can dissolve it.

The Lesson of Neptune in the Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice
Neptune’s lesson of non-attachment is nowhere more powerfully evoked that in the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus and Eurydice, the newly weds, are very much in love, but instead of fulfilling their wedded bliss, Eurydice steps on a snake, is bitten and dies. The devastated bridegroom, Orpheus, who cannot accept his fate, sets out to retrieve his beloved. Orpheus is the typical Neptunian hero, a poet and musician whose songs and music uplift the spirits. With his music he charms the dog, Cerberus, that guards the Underworld, and persuades its inhabitants, Pluto and Persephone, to allow him to bring Eurydice back to the Upper world. They grant his wish on one condition – that he does not turn around and look at her until she has arrived in the upper world again but he cannot resist the temptation to gaze into the eyes of his beloved and she dissolves before his very eyes and with it his hopes for future happiness. There are always sacrifices and adjustments demanded by Neptune. The promise of happiness and fulfilment is often illusory. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus so requires a selfless love rather than self-gratification.

The Twelfth Labour of Hercules – The Capture of the Red Cattle of Geryon

In this the last of the twelve labours of Hercules the Teacher said to Hercules, ” Before the last gate now you stand, One labour yet remains before the circle is complete, and liberation is attained. He is told to proceed to Erytheia where great Illusion is enthroned where Geryon, the monster of three heads, three bodies and six hands, is lord and king. Unlawfully he holds a herd of dark red cattle. Hercules is told by his teacher that he must drive the herd from Erytheia to their Sacred City. He is warned to look out for Eurytion, the shepherd and his two headed dog Orthrus. His Teacher advises Hercules to invoke the aid of Helius which Hercules does, making offerings to Helius the god of fire in the sun. His offerings were rewarded with the gift of a golden chalice which provided safe protection for his journey across the tossing seas to Erytheia.

Hercules killed the double headed dog Orthrus which guarded the cattle but spared the life of the shepherd Eurytion. Hercules then proceeded to kill the monster Geryon. Hercules placed all the cattle in the golden cup in which he had sailed over to the island, took them to the Sacred City, and offered them in sacrifice to Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. The Teacher greeted Hercules with the words, “Welcome, O Son of God who is also a son of man. The jewel of immortality is yours. By these twelve labours have you overcome the human, and put on the divine. Home have you come, no more to leave. Upon the starry firmament your name shall be inscribed, a symbol to the struggling sons of men of their immortal destiny. The human labours ended your cosmic tasks begin. From out of the Council Chamber came a voice that said, “well done, O Son of God.”

Alice Bailey explains the symbolism of the red cattle as that of the lower desires which are guarded by the shepherd, which is the mind, the two headed dog representing the matter aspect and the psychic nature. The reason that Hercules spared the shepherd symbolising the mind as the mind can still be the shepherd of the cattle but the two headed dog the psychic-emotional nature and the matter aspect, Hercules killed, which means that they were deprived of any power. The keeper of the cattle, the form aspect was killed but the shepherd and the cattle were raised up in the golden cup which symbolised the Holy Grail. Bailey goes onto explain that Hercules the World Saviour has fulfilled his function of lifting up humanity.

The Constellation of Pisces
Alice Bailey explains that the sign of Pisces marks a triangular place in the heavens, a symbol of reality. The sign rules the feet hence the idea of treading the Path and attaining the goal has been the underlying spiritual revelation of the Piscean age. Pisces symbolises the death to the personality and also the death of the world saviour for it is the sign of crucifixion and marks the end of the zodiacal cycle.

The first constellation in Pisces is that curious cluster of stars called “The Band”, connecting the two fishes, one fish headed straight to the north and the other swimming on the horizon. The fish headed toward the north is the symbol of the aspirant to the mysteries while the fish on the horizon represents the average person.

The second constellation is Andromeda, the chained woman. Alice Bailey alludes to three women among the constellations and explains their symbolism: There is Cassiopeia in Aries representing matter seated in her chair, dominant; Coma Berenice in Virgo who sacrificed her hair to be of service, representing the soul only beginning to assert itself. Andromeda the chained woman in Pisces represents matter harnessed.

The third constellation in Pisces is the King named Cepheus, the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda. Bailey claims this suggests that “The King” represents the Spirit or Father aspect.

Alan Oken in his book ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’ has this to say about the constellation of Pisces: The waters of space obscure this constellation even more than they do in Aquarius however because of its very distinct shape it is easier to identify. Although it is one of the faintest of the twelve zodiacal asterisms it is one of the longest measuring about 41 degrees of celestial longitude. It is composed of the northern and southern fish joined together by a rope attached to each of their tails. the northern fish is the smaller of the two: it swims toward the constellation of Andromeda and the great nebula which lies within its boundaries. The southern fish swims under the great square of Pegasus the Flying Horse, and points its nose in the direction of Aquarius.

South of Al Rescha (also called “the Knot”) is Cetus the Whale, and east of the upper arm of the “V” is Aries.

Piscean Anatomy and HealthPisces is the last sign of the zodiac and if we take into account the Universal Law, ‘As Above So Below’ it follows that Pisces rules the feet, the last part of the body. Added to this is the fact that March, the month in which Pisces falls, is derived from the Latin word, ‘margo’, which means extremity, limit, edge, boundary, or attainment.

Metaphysically, Pisces is related to understanding, and good understanding is necessary before we can travel far mentally. Pisces is one of the most sensitive signs of the zodiac, often referred to as a psychic sponge so they need to protect their boundaries to avoid being overwhelmed by other people’s negative vibes. They need to have periodic retreats from the world to recharge their batteries.

Anatomically Pisces also rules the pineal gland, the lymphatic system, the aura and parts of the nervous system receptive to psychic impressions. An afflicted Neptune can lead to auto-immune disorders or conditions difficult to diagnose. In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’ Vanda Sawtell describes the role of the cell salt related to Pisces: “The Biochemic cell salt related to the sign Pisces is iron or Ferrum phos. Iron has an affinity for oxygen which together produce red blood. When iron is lacking the blood is pale and anaemic. Physiologically, iron which is related to Pisces, is in charge of the transport system of the body, just as our feet have charge of the transport of the body as a whole. Deficiencies of iron in the blood can cause inflammation or congestion, injuries and haemorrhages, dull throbbing headaches, insomnia, sore throat, lumbago, heart palpitations, emotional disturbances, colds and chills especially when feverish, rheumatism, fractures, cuts, sprains, bruises anaemia, depression, or listlessness.”

Pisceans can be prone to allergies caused by foods such as milk and dairy products. They need to include foods in their diet which keep their lymphatic system flowing, such as fish, a good source of protein, lemon, lime, cranberry and apple juice, leafy green salads and vegetables such as cabbage and celery, and grains such as brown rice, and potatoes and kumara. Exercises that encourage deep breathing such as yoga or pilates would also be beneficial. Neptune rules drugs and alcohol, therefore Pisceans or people with strong Neptune placements can be very prone to addictive behaviour.

Because of their compassionate natures they need to be discerning in whom they help and beware of a tendency toward martyrdom. The gemstone for Pisceans is aquamarine. Bach flower essences that can relieve the Piscean tendency toward physical and mental exhaustion are hornbeam, and scleranthus for changeability, indecisiveness and moodiness. A homeopathic remedy indicated for heat exhaustion, headache, nausea and cramps, Veratrum album, would be beneficial for the Piscean. Aromatherapy oils that would be a healing balm for the sensitive Piscean include sandalwood, jasmine, myrrh and ylang-ylang. The healing musical note for Pisces is B.

The Piscean Hall of Fame
Neptune rules the 12th house which deals with sacrifice, the unconscious mind, mysticism, imagination, illusion, intuition, confinements and past lives. For this reason people born under the sign of Pisces or having strong 12th house placements are often drawn to careers in the arts or spiritual endeavour. Anatomically Pisces rules the feet so it is not surprising to see that the famous ballet dancers, Nijinsky and Nureyev were Piscean. Pisceans exude an aura of glamour and a certain mystique which makes them well suited to the stage or screen.

Famous actors include Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, Drew Barrymore, Leo McKern of Rumpole fame, Glenn Close, Liza Minnelli, Lynn Redgrave and Julie Walters. Famous Piscean singers include Johnny Cash, Neil Sedaka and George Harrison. Piscean composers in the Hall of Fame include Chopin, Handel, Vivaldi, Ravel and Rossini. Piscean writers who have entranced their readers with their vivid imaginations include Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows, the poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Dr Seuss whose stories have enchanted many children. Those Pisceans listed amongst the famous painters are Michelangelo, Botticelli and Renoir.Pisceans who have contributed to the mystical realm include Edgar Cayce, the Sleeping Prophet, a very gifted healer and medium, the Dutch psychic Gerard Croiset, the Indian mystic Meher Baba, Rudolph Steiner the founder of the Anthroposophical movement and Roberto Assagioli the visionary psychiatrist who developed Psychosynthesis.

Neptune Transits
Every one of us experiences Neptune transits in our life. These transits can either enhance our sensitivity, intuition, compassion and creativity if they are positive transits, or if they are challenging transits can bring about confusion, deception, loss, sacrifice and suffering in our lives in order to teach us the lesson of non-attachment. Neptune’s cycle is approximately 160 years therefore it doesn’t complete a full circle and return to its natal place in the span of a lifetime. Neptune transits occur in the middle to late twenties around the time of the first Saturn Return, enabling us to aspire to our ideal of what we could be. A major Neptune transit occurs around the age of 42 coinciding with the Uranus opposition which represents the mid-life crisis and its subsequent search for meaning. In our mid fifties there is another Neptune transit which can enhance spiritual growth. The final major Neptune transit that we are likely to experience if we live into our eighties occurs in our mid eighties, around the same time as the Uranus Return which marks a time of reflection, not only of life and death but also of what lies beyond.

Overview for Pisces for 2018Soulful Neptune continues it sojourn in its home sign of Pisces bringing spiritual upliftment and creative inspiration for all Pisceans. Neptune will be in your home sign of Pisces until January 2026 when it will change signs moving into Aries. Sometimes you may feel a bit lost or confused as if you have lost your moorings but your ruling planet Neptune is beckoning you to attune to your highest spiritual and creative potential. Chiron, the planet of the wounded healer, also continues its passage through your sign giving you opportunities to heal your deepest wounds and tap into your highest potential Good news lucky Jupiter will enter your career sector in November 2018 remaining here for a year.

CareerPlanetary visitors to your career sector include Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. Feisty Mars will pay a visit here from 27 January until 17 March which will imbue you with the energy to achieve your career goals. Quicksilver Mercury pay a visit here from 1-11 January facilitating communication and networking in your career. Jupiter, the planet of good fortune will enter your career sector from 9 November 2018 until 2 December 2019 bringing opportunities for expansion and promotion in your career.

Work and HealthYour work and health sector is highlighted the karmic north node and two eclipses – a total lunar eclipse on 31 January and a solar eclipse on 11 August.The karmic north node which charts your destiny is in Leo and is in your work and health sector. Other cosmic visitors that will be in your relationship sector are Mercury, Venus and Mars. Quicksilver Mercury will be there from 30 June until 6 September facilitating communication in your relationships. However, part of Mercury’s stay there will be in retrograde motion from 26 July to 13 August which could bring confusion and misunderstandings.

Finances
Unpredictable Uranus continues its journey through your 2nd house of finances, possessions and values. This brings both uncertainty and excitement to your financial life. It encourages you to be innovative to develop your own unique approach to managing your finances rather than going with the status quo. You may use your ingenuity to devise your own money-making schemes.

Home and FamilyCosmic visitors to your domestic sector include Mercury and Venus. Communicative Mercury will pay a visit to your domestic sector from 30 May to 12 June giving you an opportunity to network with your family and have any conversations on family matters. Venus graces your domestic sector with her presence from 25 April to 19 May making this an ideal time for any family get togethers.

Creativity and ChildrenYour creativity and children sector will be highlighted by a solar partial eclipse on 13 July 2018. Cosmic visitors include Mercury and Venus. Venus will be here from 20 May to 13 June bringing harmonious relations with your children and enhancing your creativity.

Travel and EducationJupiter, the planet of good fortune and long distance travel and higher education will be in your travel and education sector from 11 October 2017 to 9 November 2018. Quicksilver Mercury will pay two visits to your travel and education sector from 11 – 31 October and then again from 2-12 December facilitating communication here. Feisty Mars pays a visit to your travel and education sector from 10 December 2017 to 26 Jan 2018 imbuing you with energy to pursue these areas of your life. Venus pays two visits here from 10 September to 31 October and then again from 3 December 2018 to 7 January 2019 which would be an ideal time for a romantic getaway or pleasure cruise.

Friendships, Groups and GoalsBoth powerful Pluto and serious Saturn continue to make their presence felt in your eleventh house of friends, groups and goals causing you to make radical changes in this area of your life. Your power and influence will be felt in groups situations. You may act as a catalyst for change for your friends or there may even be some power struggles resulting in a friendship coming to an end. You may radically alter your goals including your life purpose as Pluto’s impact is felt here.Saturn’s presence here from 21 December 2017 to 17 December 2020 will enable you to consolidate your goals and cement your friendships and group affiliations. Venus graces your friendship sector with her charming presence from 26 December 2017 to 18 January 2018. This should promote affection and harmony in your social circles and group activities.

Spirituality
Your spirituality sector will be highlighted by the karmic north node and two eclipses – a partial solar eclipse on 15 February 2018 and total lunar eclipse on 27 July 2018.

Happy New Chinese Year of the Earth Dog!
The year of the Earth Dog follows after the Year of the Fire Rooster (2017) preceding the year of the Earth Pig (2019)!

Chinese New Year of the Dog 2018 begins on Friday, the 16th of February and ends on 2019 Lunar New Year’s Eve on Feb. 4. The Dog occupies the eleventh position in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac . Your Chinese zodiac animal is the Dog if you are born in one of the following years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

Characteristics of the DogIn Chinese society, Dogs are the favoured domestic animal because of their loyalty to their owners. And like a Dog, those born in the year of the Dog possess the admirable canine qualities of loyalty and integrity.

Straightforward and frank, Dog does not pay much attention to superficial details and has little patience for frivolity. Yet Dog is capable of playfulness and spontaneity. Honest and trustworthy, Dog makes an excellent friend on whom you can always depend. Dogs won’t hesitate to come to the aid of their friends in times of crisis, champion the underdog and advocate for ideas they believe in.

Stable, honest, practical, dependable, kind, and loyal are Earth qualities. The element Earth enhances Dog’s character ensuring stability and groundedness. The Earth Dog is endowed with some of the finest qualities of all the astrology signs. Earth Dogs have the ability to succeed in their endeavours, and possess nobility of character.

Of the five Taoist elements Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, this is the year of the Earth Dog. 2018 is the Male or Yang Earth Dog year. Brown is connected to the earth. Therefore, 2018 is also referred to as the year of the Brown Dog. According to Chinese astrology the sign of 2018 Male Earth Dog year is represented by two mountains that sit side by side indicating strong Earth. People will focus on real estate, agriculture, environment, territorial integrity or religious, or spiritual matters.

Being the year of Mountain Dog we could be confronted by a wild dog which could block your path. That implies you might encounter some obstacles before executing your plan. Therefore, you need to use your wisdom to remove the blockage first, then you will see the wide-open road.

The New Moon Solar Eclipse occurs at 27 degrees 07 Aquarius on 16 February at 8.05 am Sydney summer time. Aquarius rules the 11th house of the zodiac which has dominion of our social networks, our friends, groups and ideals. The event chart of New Moon Solar Eclipse reveals the themes with which we will be dealing. Mercury, the planet of communication, and Juno, the goddess of marriage and women’s rights are both conjunct the eclipse in the sign of Aquarius with Jupiter in Scorpio squaring the eclipse Mercury and Juno. Jupiter also rules law, philosophy, higher education and overseas travel. Being King of the gods, the energy of Jupiter is very powerful so that whatever planets it contacts magnifies the energy it touches. It can cause overconfidence or ego inflation Added to this is the karmic South Node also in Aquarius.

Jupiter and Juno – Annibale Caraccio

The archetypes involved in this story are very telling here as Roman Juno and Jupiter or Hera and Zeus in Greek mythology were both husband and wife. However, Jupiter or Zeus, King of the gods, was a philanderer who raped both goddesses and mortals alike fathering children on them much to the chagrin and rage of Juno. Theirs was a very turbulent marriage with each one trying to outdo each other. The asteroid, Juno, in astrology represents commitment in relationships within marriage, business etc. as well as women’s rights and the powerless. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus which represents sudden illumination so this will be a period where there is the great potential to tap into the collective conscious. It heralds the upcoming Age of Aquarius which represents equality, freedom, rebellion, non conformity, higher consciousness and humanitarian endeavour.

With Jupiter in intense Scorpio there will be an opportunity to dig deep in order for us to face the shadow. With it coinciding with the year of the Dog the focus will be on loyalty, integrity. and transparency. The issues that are likely to arise will be whom do we trust with regard to our friends, associates and the people we have hired or elected. Issues such as corruption and wrongdoing are likely to come to a head as the year of the Dog ushers in the theme of loyalty, integrity, trustworthiness and transparency. People or organisations that don’t measure up to these standards will be under the spotlight and held accountable for their past actions with the presence of the karmic South Node. Both Aquarius and Scorpio are fixed signs and the effects of this eclipse will be felt for the next six months.

#Me Too MovementThe prevalence of the Me Too# movement is one of the strong themes of the Eclipse event chart with both Jupiter and Juno and Venus and Mars facing off in the Eclipse chart. Juno and Venus represent the feminine principle just as Jupiter and Mars represent the masculine principle. An interesting piece of synchronicity is that St Valentine’s Day just precedes the solar eclipse. Jupiter, being in the sign of Scorpio which rules sex, death joint finances and taxes will bring these issues to the surface.

Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Company is sued
The American movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax, whose sexual abuse and exploitation of his female employees acted as a catalyst for the #Me Too movement is under fire again with New York’s attorney general suing The Weinstein Company and Harvey Weinstein on Sunday, alleging years of sexual harassment and misconduct by the movie producer. The civil suit alleges that the company’s executives and board repeatedly failed to protect employees from Weinstein, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement. The suit also names Weinstein’s brother Bob, who co-founded the company.

#Me Too Q&AOn the eve of the eclipse ABC TV aired its Q&A on the #Me Too movement hosted by Virginia Trioli with panelists, Josh Bornstein, Catherine Lumby, Isabella Manfredi and Janet Albrechtson in an attempt to have a national conversation on women’s rights in the work place. Virginia Trioli opened the discussion by asking how many women in the audience had been sexually harassed with many hands being raised. Catherine Lumby, a Macquarie university academic and Guardian contributor, Isabella Manfredi, lead singer of the Preatures, and Josh Bornstein, an employment lawyer all made positive and often thought provoking contributions.

Josh Bornstein had some constructive suggestions about improving workplace sexual harassment claims: remove the time limits on reporting within six months; remove the caps on damages; start a debate about confidentiality agreements in claims; and force companies to report sexual harassment claims to a central agency.

Both Josh Bornstein and Catherine Lumby did their best to explain how woefully inadequate our justice system is in dealing with rape and sexual assault, highlighting that only 10% of rape cases result in conviction, and how doctors usually advise patients against prosecuting their rape because the trial can be like a “second rape”. Isabella Manfredi recounted her experiences of sexual harassment as a young woman in the music industry.

Physical Abuse by White House Staffers of their Wives
Just this week in the US we have seen two more powerful White House staffers, Rob Porter and David Sorensen, have had to resign after it was revealed they had physically abused their ex wives and ex partners. The initial defence of these men by the Chief of Staff General John Kelly and President Trump exposed how powerful men at the top protect each other.

Trump sex scandal with porn star Stormy Daniels
Added to this White House scandal is the scandal of Trump paying off porn star Stormy Daniels with hush money to prevent her going public just prior to the US presidential elections in 2016. An adult film star who has been embroiled in allegations of an affair with President Donald Trump is free to tell her story, her manager has said. Stormy Daniels is no longer bound by a non-disclosure contract after Mr Trump’s lawyer admitted he paid her, manager Gina Rodriguez says Mr Trump’s personal lawyer confirmed in a statement to media he privately paid Ms Daniels $130,000 (£95,000) in 2016. Ms Rodriguez says that acknowledgement allows her client to speak freely. The revelations on Wednesday follow US media reports that the porn actress known as Ms Daniels was paid to sign an agreement stopping her discussing an alleged affair. She first said she had a relationship with Mr Trump in a 2011 interview.In a 2011 interview with InTouch magazine, the actress said she was in a relationship with Mr Trump in 2006 shortly after Melania Trump gave birth to his son Barron.

Oxfam ScandalOxfam staff have been accused of hiring prostitutes while delivering aid after 2010 Haiti earthquake. Ex-UN operations chief says the problem is widespread throughout aid charities. The prostitution scandal engulfing international aid charity Oxfam is a symptom of a “global problem” in the aid industry, a former senior UN aid worker says. Oxfam has been accused of lacking “moral leadership” by the British Government over misconduct involving prostitutes in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Further accusations have been made claiming that pedophiles have been infiltrating aid organisations.

Barnaby Joyce Scandal – Symbolic of Jupiter Juno MarriageWhile here in Australia we have our own home grown scandal with the Deputy Prime Minister being exposed as a hypocrite while ostensibly standing for family values and commitment to marriage having been found out having an affair with his staffer Vikki Campion who is now expecting their baby in April. The anger of the wife, Natalie, who confronted Barnaby’s mistress Vikki accusing her of being a homewrecker is reminiscent of the aggrieved Juno angered by her philandering husband’s ‘sexcapades’. Since the story broke in the Daily Telegraph last week the scandal has escalated with allegations of Barnaby’s other dalliances and sexual misconduct with minors surfacing. What was just rumour and innuendo is now becoming headline news. Thus is the power of Jupiter to blow things out of proportion. Barnaby Joyce is also undergoing his Chiron Return which means he will have to do some soul searching and face his deepest emotional wounds and atone for those he has emotionally wounded. Issues of nepotism have also arisen with the high paying positions his ‘partner’, Vikki Campion, has enjoyed plus his own high expenses for his time in Canberra and his living rent free in a luxury apartment in Armidale owned by his wealthy mate, Greg Maguire. Barnaby Joyce spent more than $10,000 on family reunion travel while having an affair with his former staffer, raising more questions about taxpayer funds being used to support the double life led by the Deputy Prime Minister. With Barnaby Joyce set to become acting Prime Minister next week while the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will be on an official to see President Trump the coalition was in further damage control. There have been debates in parliament about what constitutes a relationship – when is someone a partner, with the Prime Minister citing the Centrelink definition.

PM Turnbull Announces a New Ministeral Code of Conduct
On the eve of the South Node eclipse with the Barnaby Joyce Scandal escalating and further damaging the Liberal National coalition Turnbull announced in parliament that Barnaby would be taking leave for a week to reflect on his position as well as a new code of conduct in which sexual relationships between ministers and their staff is banned effective from today and went on to describe Barnaby Joyce’s affair with the staffer as a “shocking error of judgement”. Turnbull acknowledged that his affair had raised serious issues of sex and power inside Parliament House and the deficiencies in the ministerial code of conduct. This move is in line with the US House of Representatives and with the sporting world of the AFL and in the corporate world.

Internecine War within the Coalition
Barnaby Joyce has retaliated against Malcolm Turnbull’s address claiming that the PM’s comments at his press conference yesterday in many instances were inept and unnecessary causing more harm as well as asserting his independence from his coalition partner and his right to remain leader of the National Party. The response of the Labor Opposition leader, Bill Shorten and the Deputy Leader, Tanya Plibersek, claimed that the Liberal National Coalition government is in a full blown crisis. “If Malcolm doesn’t have the courage to sack Barnaby Joyce, then Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t have the courage to be prime minister.”

In keeping with the South Node eclipse a voice from the past resurfaced with the appearance on Sky news of Junie Morosi, who famously had an affair in 1974 with then-deputy prime minister Jim Cairns. Morosi has slammed the media attention on Barnaby Joyce’s personal situation, calling the interest in the Nationals leaders’ relationships “old fashioned”.

Jim Cairns & Junie Morosi

Morosi, who was appointed by her lover Cairns to a senior government role that were seen as outside her experience, told The Australian that the complaints about Joyce having won his now-partner Vikki Campion a series of government jobs were just a cover for good, old puritanism on the part of his critics.

Members of the public & the stolen generation applaud Kevin Rudd’s apology

Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the Stolen Generation

Tenth Anniversary of National Apology to the Stolen GenerationQuite rightly Stan Grant claimed on his Tuesday night program of Matter of Fact that the all consuming media scandal about Barnaby Joyce has overshadowed the important 10th anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s apology to the stolen generation and Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull’s report to parliament on Closing the Gap.

Arrest of Malka Leifer, former school principal, for rape and sexual abuse against children
However it is not only men who are having their karma catch up with them during this South Node eclipse period. Malka Leifer who has been sensationally arrested in Israel, is finally facing the prospect of extradition proceedings almost a decade after she fled Australia after being accused of abusing female students at the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick in Melbourne. She was principal of the ultraconservative Jewish school at the time and faces 74 allegations of rape and sexual abuse against children. Since fleeing in 2008 she has managed to avoid extradition by arguing she was too mentally unwell to face court in Australia. However, Israeli authorities swooped on Ms Leifer, who is aged in her 50s, after a month-long undercover investigation by police, which concluded that Ms Leifer was allegedly faking her mental illness. Her arrest has brought relief to her young female victims who have suffered post traumatic stress disorder, post-partum depression and and suicidal ideation. They said their tireless campaign to have her brought to justice will bring closure for them. With the power of South Node Eclipse and the Year of the Dog truth will out!

Resignation of Jacob Zuma
As I write this post on the eve of the eclipse it has just been announced that Jacob Zuma has resigned as President of South Africa, heeding orders by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to bring an end to his nine scandal-plagued years of corruption and cronyism in power.

Royal Commission into BankingCommissioner Kenneth Hayne QC and senior counsel assisting Rowena Orr made brief initial statements in Melbourne on Monday ahead of what will be an exhaustive 12 months of public hearings into misconduct in the banking, superannuation and financial services industry. Home loans, car loans and credit cards will come under the microscope when the Banking Royal Commission holds its first round of public hearings next month. The Commission will hear evidence that suggests consumers have not always enjoyed the.right to be treated honestly and fairly when it comes to home loans,” Ms Orr said. “Some [cases] may involve breaches of the law, while others may fall short of community standards.” The banks will finally be held to account for their misconduct.

Slave like conditions for Domestic Workers in Embassies in AustraliaAnother example of injustice was exposed on Monday night’s Four Corners when journalist Louise Milligan revealed the shocking mistreatment and exploitation of A at least 20 domestic workers who have escaped embassies and diplomatic residences in Australia, where they were being kept in conditions likened to slavery. Four Corners inteviewed three workers who allege shocking conditions like working for a fraction of the minimum wage. There’s little that law enforcement authorities can do to bring the perpetrators to justice because the employers enjoy diplomatic immunity.

Corporations Pay No TaxAccording to an ABC NEWS report online by journalist, Emma Albericci 380 of Australia’s largest companies. ATO corporate tax transparency data — confirmed in email exchanges with company representatives — reveals about one in five of the country’s biggest companies have paid no tax for at least the past three years. Companies who have paid no tax include Qantas, Adani Abbot. Alinta Holdings, Amcor Limited, American Express Australia Limited, Ansell Limited, APN News & Media Ltd. Not one of Australia’s biggest airlines has paid corporate tax since at least 2013 including Virgin and its subsidiary Tigerair, Etihad, Emirates and Qatar. At a time when Australian households have seen their electricity prices soar, the country’s leading energy retailer, EnergyAustralia, hasn’t been paying corporate tax. EnergyAustralia paid no corporate tax for the decade to 2016.

Ten years after the global financial crisis — which they are largely responsible for creating — some of the world’s most prominent investment banks are collecting tidy sums of income in Australia and not paying corporate tax. Among them is Malcolm Turnbull’s old employer, Goldman Sachs, which recently won a lucrative contract with the NSW Government.

Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as, “the great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money”, Goldman will be paid $16.5 million as the state’s financial adviser on the sale of the $16.8 billion WestConnex motorway in NSW. The investment bank generated revenue of $1.84 billion over three years but paid zero corporate tax.

The same goes for JPMorgan Chase which raked in $2.2 billion and hasn’t paid corporate tax since at least 2013. Ten years after the global financial crisis — which they are largely responsible for creating — some of the world’s most prominent investment banks are collecting tidy sums of income in Australia and not paying corporate tax. Among them is Malcolm Turnbull’s old employer, Goldman Sachs, which recently won a lucrative contract with the NSW Government.

Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as, “the great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money”, Goldman will be paid $16.5 million as the state’s financial adviser on the sale of the $16.8 billion WestConnex motorway in NSW. The investment bank generated revenue of $1.84 billion over three years but paid zero corporate tax.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp hasn’t paid corporate tax for at least 4 years. The media colossus reported total income of $8.5 billion and even boasted a $71 million profit in 2014/15 but no corporate tax was paid.

Neoliberalism’s Trickle Down Economics discredited.The Age of Aquarius espouses equality of opportunity. French academic and economist Thomas Piketty’s best selling seminal book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, discredits Neoliberalism’s Trickle Down economics. Piketty, arguably the world’s leading expert on income and wealth inequality documents the growing concentration of income in the hands of a small economic elite. This is backed up by Emma Albericci in her report: “There is no compelling evidence that giving the country’s biggest companies a tax cut sees that money passed on to workers in the form of higher wages.Treasury modelling relies on theories that belie the reality that’s playing out around the world. Since the peak of the commodities boom in 2011-12, profit margins have risen to levels not seen since the early 2000s but wages growth has been slower than at any time since the 1960s.” Piketty’s work is the zeitgeist as we move into the Age of Aquarius.

Universal Basic IncomeThe resurrection of universal basic income (UBI) proposals in the developed world has gained support from some prominent Australians. UBI proposals centre on the idea that the government would pay a flat fee to every adult citizen, regardless of his or her engagement in skill-building activities or the paid labour market, as a partial or complete substitute for existing social security and welfare programs.
Of the schemes run in developing places like Kenya, Uganda, and India, some have been evaluated statistically, delivering some evidence of positive impacts on educational investments, entrepreneurship, and earnings.
In the developed world, Canada has been trialling a UBI scheme. Finland has also rolled out a trial until the end of 2018 , involving about 10,000 recipients for two years and costing about A$40 million. While Switzerland’s voters just rejected a UBI proposal via referendum, a similar proposal is presently looking like a goer for Utrecht in the Netherlands. Here in Australia, it has been suggested the government might hand out somewhere between A$10,000 and A$25,000 a year to every man and woman.

The idea of free money has become more popular in recent years thanks to advocates in Silicon Valley like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. They see universal basic as a cushion for workers whose jobs might be replaced by automation or robots. Advocates argue free money could provide workers with flexibility to retrain for a new career, pursue creative interests, or start their own business.

So on both a collective and personal level this karmic South Node Eclipse in Aquarius represents a portal to clarify and affirm our highest path to make a quantum leap in consciousness. It gives an opportunity to transform our thinking and let go of the past to allow for new visions, to break down our defences where we have become the most fixed, to liberate ourselves from outmoded attitudes and concepts of being. Coinciding with the year of the Earth Dog it will be a year where relationships and organisations will be under the spotlight and will be held to account if they don’t demonstrate honesty, integrity and transparency.
Therapy Dogs

To end on a lighter note there was a news item this week so fitting for the Year of the Dog. It was just announced this week that the trial of therapy dogs begun in April 2017 to lend a floppy ear and friendly paw to assist victims of crime in Manly Court has been such a success that it will now be expanded. “Research shows having a dog to talk to and pat can calm people who are feeling scared and nervous — a phenomenon referred to as the ‘pet effect’.” This therapy has been used with great success for child victims in special circumstances as remote witnesses and victims of domestic violence. it will now be rolled out in ten regional and city court complexes in NSW. Canine therapy is also employed in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. It goes without saying that the dog is ‘man’s’ best friend!

Aquarius the water carrierpours forth the Waters of Lifethat fountain of Lightwhich purifies the mindsof women and menawakening in their heartsthe Divine seed of Love

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The male and female water carriers pouring the waters of consciousness, an act which symbolises the equal contribution of masculine and feminine energies, the rational and intuitive, the union of which is vital for the psychic harmony and evolution of all planetary life in the Age of Aquarius.

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for AquariusThe Personality sounds his note: Let desire in form be ruler
The Soul proclaims: Water of Life, I am poured forth for thirsty men.

Rulers for Aquarius
Exoteric Ruler: Uranus under the Seventh Ray of Ceremonial Law and OrganisationEsoteric Ruler: Jupiter under the Second Ray of Love WisdomHierarchical Ruler: The Moon under the Fourth Ray of Harmony through Conflict

Aquarians – The Age of Aquarius – Cycles of Uranus

Happy birthday to all the Aquarians whose birthdays fall between January 21 and February 19. Aquarius, known as the water bearer, is one of the three air signs often mistakenly thought be a water sign but Aquarius, the water bearer, is pouring the waters of consciousness for the evolution of all humanity as we enter the Age of Aquarius. Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus and its co ruler is Saturn also the ruler of Capricorn.

Uranus was discovered in 1781 which coincides with the French Revolution and the American War of Independence. Thus Aquarians are often seen as reformers or revolutionaries or non-conformists. Aquarians are renowned for their eccentricity like their ruling planet, Uranus, which travels in a freakish way – instead of spinning like a top like any other planet, Uranus rolls on its belly making it appear as if its five moons revolve backward. Uranus is named after Ouranus, the sky father in Greek mythology. Hence, Uranus symbolises lightning and can unleash a force more potent than anything previously known. While Uranus was transiting the sign of Capricorn, representing the establishment, the Berlin wall came down. In February 1962 there was a line-up of planets in Aquarius which could cause people born at this time to be either genii or ‘mad’ or at the very least downright eccentric!!

Aquarian Hall of Fame

Galileo Galilei

There is a saying, “ As the Aquarian thinks so the rest of the world will think in fifty years time.” Over seventy percent of people in the hall of fame have their sun or ascendant in Aquarius. When we look at the hall of fame of Aquarians we can see that this indeed is the case. Galileo was a famous Aquarian whose scientific theories threatened the religious thought of the day – he was so ahead of his time. Another famous Aquarian scientist, Charles Darwin, whose theories on evolution challenged the existing scientific and religious thought, caused a schism in the Christian church.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln’s revolutionary stand on slavery split the United States and Roosevelt’s radical new economic program was met with bitter opposition by the establishment.

Another Aquarian whose impassioned speech for universal equality electrified the Golden Globes is Oprah Winfrey and has led to speculation of her taking a tilt at the presidency in 2020. In her speech Oprah made reference to the impact it had on her as a little girl watching Sidney Poitier whom she described the most elegant black man she had ever seen receive the Oscar for best actor at the 1964 Academy Awards. At that stage her mother cleaned other people’s houses for a living. Oprah added “In 1982, Sidney received the Cecil B. DeMille Award right here at the Golden Globes, and it is not lost on me that at this moment, there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this same award. She also made reference to the fact that the press is under siege these days. She continued: “What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell. And this year we became the story. But it’s not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It’s one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace. So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue. In a true Aquarian manner she included all the other people who are also affected by this struggle for equality and fairness: They’re the women whose names we’ll never know. They are domestic workers and farm workers. They are working in factories, and they work in restaurants, and they’re in academia and engineering and medicine and science. They’re part of the word of tech and politics and business. They are athletes in the Olympics, and they are soldiers in the military.”

Oprah went on to pay tribute to two remarkable black women: “And there’s someone else: Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know too. In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and a mother. She was just walking home from the church service she’d attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone, but her story was reported to the NAACP, where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case. And together they sought justice. But justice wasn’t an option in the era of Jim Crow. The men who tried to destroy her were never persecuted. Recy Taylor died 10 days ago, just shy of her 98th birthday. She lived as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men, but their time is up. Their time is up. Their time is up.

And I just hope – I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years and even now tormented, goes marching on. It was somewhere in Rosa Parks’ heart almost 11 years later when she made the decision to stay seated on that bus in Montgomery. And it’s here with every woman who chooses to say, “Me too” and every man, every man who chooses to listen. In my career what I’ve always tried my best to do, whether on television or through film, is to say something about how men and women really behave, to say how we experience shame, how we love and how we rage, how we fail, how we retreat, persevere, and how we overcome. I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who have withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights. So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon.

Oprah’s conclusion was inspirational and had a prophetic ring to it. It was also sounded a note of optimism in keeping with her Sagittarius Moon and ascendant and : “And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, “Me too” again. Thank you.”

Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist to whom Oprah paid tribute in her Golden Globes speech is also an Aquarian born 4 February 1913 in Tusgekee, Alabama at 5.12 am. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, whom the United States Congress called “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement” due to her sparking of the Montgomery bus boycott, leading to a 21/12/1956 Supreme Court order outlawing discriminatory practices on Montgomery buses. It was on 1 December 1955 that the soft-spoken 42-year old seamstress left work to catch the bus home. When the bus became loaded the driver told her to give her seat to a white man – and she refused – almost single-handedly starting the modern civil rights movement. She said, “I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen.” She displayed great courage in opposing the status quo in keeping with Mars on her ascendant.

Parks’ act of defiance and the Montgomery bus boycott became important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. She became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

Rosa & Raymond Parks

She and her husband, Raymond Parks, also an Aquarian born 12 February 1903 organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including Edgar Nixon, president of the local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People); and Martin Luther King Jnr, a new minister in town who gained national prominence in the civil rights movement.

Parks received national recognition, including the NAACP’s 1979 Spingarn Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Upon her death in 2005, she was the first woman and third non-US government official to lie in honour in the Capitol Rotunda. California and Missouri commemorate Rosa Parks Day on her birthday February 4, whilst Ohio and Oregon commemorate the occasion on the anniversary of the day she was arrested, December 1.

Germaine Greer

Both Aquarians, Germaine Greer and Betty Friedan, challenged the tenets of patriarchy and pioneered the modern feminist movement. Enough said!

The Age of Aquarius

Most people would remember the words of the famous song from the musical, Hair, which was staged to much acclaim in the early 1970’s: “We are at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.” Some people were under misapprehension that the Age of Aquarius was something that occurred then and is now over but it was actually referring to the fact that we are on the cusp of Age of Aquarius, and the outgoing Age of Pisces which began around the time of the birth of Christ.

According to Dane Rudhyar in his book, ‘Astrological Timing of the Transition to the New Age’, during the incoming Age of Aquarius, calculated to be from the year 2060, there will be a return to the principles of the great spiritual teachers such as Jesus, Buddha, Pythagoras, Lao Tse and Confucius who represent the seed period of the Age of Pisces. Each Age has a seed period – at the turn of the 20th century there appeared Illuminati such as Helena Blavatsky who founded the Theosophical Society, and wrote books under the guidance of the Masters of Wisdom as did Alice Bailey who established an esoteric school and the International Goodwill Movement. Other great spiritual teachers dedicated to reviving the Ancient Wisdom teachings include the Indian sage, Krishnamurti, Rudolph Steiner who founded the Anthroposophical movement, and Roberto Assagioli who formulated Psychosynthesis, a transpersonal form of psychotherapy with branches worldwide that focusses on aligning the personality Self with the Higher Self.

The Eleventh Labour of Hercules

A clue to the role of the Aquarian and the meaning of the Age of Aquarius can be found in the esoteric teachings of Alice Bailey in her book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’. Each labour corresponds to the task to be undertaken by each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. The eleventh labour for Aquarius is to clean the dung out of the Augean stables which symbolises purging the planet of the all the excesses of the outgoing Age of Pisces i.e. materialism, dualism, emotionalism, religious fanaticism, glamour, lower psychism, to prepare humanity to embrace the Aquarian concepts of group consciousness, universal brotherhood, humanitarian endeavour, planetary awareness, the reunion of science and spirituality, and the equal representation of masculine and feminine energies.

Dane Rudhyar, prophesised that the Age of Aquarius would be an Age of androgyny. Each Age lasts approximately 2,000 years and we are in a transition period between the two Ages which is currently causing much stress and tension on the planet so it is vital that we evolve in consciousness by aligning our personality Self and Higher Self to cope with the accelerated changes in keeping with the Age of Aquarius which will be an age of synthesis.

The Ages proceed in the opposite direction to the zodiac because of what is called the precession of the equinoxes. Supporting this concept of purging or cleansing is the fact that the month that Aquarius falls in – February, derived from the Latin word, Februarius, means purification. The glyph for Aquarius, the two wavy lines represents the ankles, the serpent of wisdom, and the Egyptian hieroglyph for the Nile. The top line represents the feminine i.e. intuition and the bottom line represents the masculine and the rational. Aquarius also rules science, technology, telecommunications, electronics, telepathy and astrology, careers in which Aquarians are strongly represented.

Aquarian Health and Anatomy

Anatomically Aquarius rules the ankles, the calves, circulation, and electrical waves in the nervous system, the pituitary gland and the aura. The biochemic cell salt for Aquarius is Natrum Mur; or what is usually known as common salt. Vanda Sawtell, in her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, explains the function of Natrum Mur: “Natrum Mur is found in every tissue and fluid in the body and this cell salt regulates the flow of fluid through the tissues. Therefore Natrum Mur is needed in all cases where there is a disturbance in the distribution of water, where the surface is either too dry or too moist which can cause colds, dryness of mouth, constipation, shingles, blisters, eczema, indigestion, anaemia, hay fever, cracking joints, restlessness and irritability. Lack of Natrum Mur may cause sleeplessness when too little fluid is present, and the brain tissues become dry, or it may cause a heavy tired, drowsy feeling if too much water is present in the brain tissues.”

Foods which stimulate the circulation of blood are beneficial for Aquarians. These include chilli, cayenne pepper. Red coloured foods such as beetroot, radishes, red peppers, strawberries would also be of benefit. Exercises such as Yoga, Pilates, and qigong which encourage regular breathing and purify the blood will enhance the Aquarian well-being. Bach flower remedies indicated for Aquarians are impatiens and patchouli water violet. Aromatherapy oils that would be soothing for the Aquarian include lavender, lemon verbena. Gemstones for Aquarians are Turquoise, Amazonite and Malachite. Tuning forks developed in Switzerland which sound a note corresponding to each of the planets audible to the human ear provide a means of healing with sound. The healing musical note for Aquarius is G.

Overview for Aquarians for 2018Transformative Pluto continues its sojourn through your 12th house of karma and the unconscious bringing about deep inner transformation. Lucky Jupiter has moved into your career sector giving impetus to your career and goals. Karmic Saturn has moved into your sign giving you more responsibility. Your first house of personality is highlighted by the presence of the karmic South Node and two eclipses. It will also be activated by an extended visit by feisty Mars from 17 May until 13 August and then again from 12 September to the 15 November 2018. Part of Mars’s visit here will be in retrograde motion from 26 June to 28 August.

FinancesNeptune and Chiron are continuing their sojourn through your finance sector. Their presence in your solar second house of finances, possessions and values which will encourage you to re-evaluate how you handle your finances and possessions. You may find that if you were always very organised with regards to your finances that Neptune will teach you to go with the flow rather than calculate every last dollar when doing your budget. Its lesson of non attachment may encourage you to donate to charities or use your finances in a more altruistic fashion. Dynamic Mars pays a visit to your finances sector from 20 December 2016 to 28 Jan 2017 adding energy and confidence in your financial dealings. Venus the goddess of Love and money graces your money sector from 4 Jan to 3 Feb enhancing your financial prospects.

Friendships
Celestial influences in your friendship sector in 2018 include Mercury and Jupiter. Quicksilver Mercury will pay two visits to your friendship sector from 1 November to 1 December and then again from 13 December 2018 to 5 January 2019 promoting communications and networking in your social circle. Part of Mercury’s visit here will be in retrograde motion from 17 November to 1 December which could cause misunderstandings.

Career
Your career aspirations will be supported by the presence of lucky Jupiter when it makes its entry into your career sector 11 October 2017 remaining there until 7 November 2018. Jupiter will bring many opportunities for expansion of your goals and for promotion. You may undertake further study or training to advance your status or your career may involve travel.

Home and FamilyThe major celestial influences in your domestic sector in 2018 are Mercury and Venus Venus brings harmony, beauty and a spirit of cooperation among family members from 1 – 24 April. Mercury pays a visit to your domestic sector from 14 – 29 May facilitating communications and networking with family members.

Children and Creativity Venus, the planet of love, will grace your children and creativity sector with her presence from 25 April to 19 May promoting cordial relationships with your children and enhancing your creative inspiration. Mercury will visit your children and creativity sector from 30 May to 12 June promoting communication between you and your children and encourage your inner child.

RelationshipsYour marriage and relationship sector is highlighted by the presence of the karmic North Node and the occurrence of two eclipses. A total lunar eclipse occurs 31 January and a partial solar eclipse occurs 11 Aug 2018. A visit from Sun and Venus to your love sector will bring vitality and harmony to your intimate relationships and business partnerships. Venus will grace your relationship sector from 14 June to 10 July enhancing your relationships. Mercury pays an extended visit here from 30 June to 6 September facilitating communications and networking in your most intimate relationships and business partnerships. Part of Mercury’s visit here will be in retrograde motion from 26 July to 18 August which could cause confusion or misunderstandings in your relationships.

TravelDynamic Mars will make its presence felt in your travel and higher learning sector with an extended stay there from 1 – 26 January 2018, imbuing you with the energy and enthusiasm to conquer hitherto unexplored territories whether through travel or study. Both Venus and Mercury pay visits to your travel and education sector. Venus lights up your travel and adventure sector from 15 October to 7 Nov bringing opportunities for you to realise a long yearned for trip to some exotic location or a holiday romance. Since the 9th house also rules over travels of the mind you may undertake that longed for study course. Mercury activates your travel and study sector from 1 – 17 Oct motivating your desire to explore new avenues of learning or travel.

Uranus TransitsRegardless of what sign we are born under we all experience Uranus transits, which like the Saturn transits represent a rite of passage. Uranus, along with the two other outer planets, Neptune and Pluto, are often referred to as the ‘Ambassadors of the Galaxy’ or transpersonal planets. Accordingly, when we have Uranus, Neptune or Pluto transits they involve collective issues not just personal ones. Unlike Pluto transits which build up to a climax causing transformation, Uranus transits are more cataclysmic, bringing sudden unexpected change of a liberating nature, jolting one into awareness.

We experience Uranus transits at age 14 which coincide with puberty and then again around age 20 which mark the end of adolescence and a drive toward autonomy and individuation. Another Uranus transit accompanies the first Saturn return around age 28 supporting the changes that need to be made at this time. A major Uranus transit occurs between 38 and 45 depending when one is born, which, along with the Pluto square to Pluto, heralds the midlife crisis. When this occurs it marks a time of disassembling the self and putting the self together again in a new form, and integrating the previously unrealised parts of the psyche into conscious awareness. Uranus transits occur again around 56 and then again in the early sixties and seventies coinciding with retirement and liberating the individual from the expectations of society. At age 84 one will experience the Uranus Return i.e. Uranus returns to the place where it was at the time of birth. This indicates that a major cycle of life is completed – symbolising a time of reviewing one’s life and preparing for the next phase.

Betty Friedan

It is interesting to note that the famous Aquarian feminist, Betty Friedan, died on her 85th birthday in February 2006, not long after her Uranus Return, having accomplished her mission for this life time.

Capricorn the sea goat
emerges from the ocean
Sure footed she begins
her arduous climb
to the mountain top
Forsaking mere ambition
She kneels in humility
upon the rocky summit
and receives the vision
which unlocks the secrets
to the door of life

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The card depicts Mother Hulda, an archetypal wise old woman from Teutonic folklore, who was popularised by the Grimm Brothers. A spinner and weaver, she symbolises the workings of fate and Mother Nature, rewarding diligence and humility, and punishing idleness and greed.

Blessings for the Summer Solstice, or Winter Solstice if you are reading this in the northern hemisphere. The Summer Solstice which occurs 22 December 2017 3.27 am Sydney time coincides with the Sun entering Capricorn. Merry Christmas or happy Hanukkah and happy New Year to you all and happy birthday to all the Capricorns who celebrate their birthday from 22 December to 20 January.

Capricorns often receive a bad press with people dismissing them as ambitious, boring etc. In keeping with the analogy of the sure footed mountain goat climbing the mountain to reach the summit they are the achievers of the zodiac. One only has to look at people such as the media personality Ita Buttrose and politicians like the former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, to see how successful they can be.

The life of the iconic Ita inspired the popular tele movie Paper Giants, immortalised by the actress Asher Keddie, which scored high viewer ratings. They are far from being dull, as colourful characters like Keating still make newsworthy material long after their political demise with people flocking to see the musical, ‘Keating’.

Their ruling planet is Saturn which rules the tenth house in the chart, governing career and public life. Their motto could be slow and steady wins the race. What is not so well known is that esoterically, Capricorn is the gateway into spiritual incarnation. Therefore, their ascent to the mountaintop not only symbolises their worldly success but also their spiritual attainment. Their birthday falls between December 23 and January 20, therefore heralding the advent of Christmas which coincides with the solstices – winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. The Sun is in Capricorn for one week in December and three in January. The word January is derived from Janus, an ancient Roman God, who is depicted in statues as having two faces, one of a young boy and the other of an old man, thus symbolising the past old year and the future new one.

The Constellation of Capricorn

In his book Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology Alan Oken states that Capricorn is the most inconspicuous constellation in the Zodiac. It is chiefly known for the nature of its brightest star which is actually a cluster of five suns called the Algedi. The entire constellation resembles a cocked hat or a flying bird much more than it does a goat. On the western tip (of the bird’s wings) is the cluster of five already referred to and on the eastern side is another relatively bright star called Deneb Algedi ( the tail of the goat).

The Sea-Goat will appear directly in the south when the Northern Cross (or Cygnus the Swan shines directly overhead in the early autumn sky. Deneb the Tail of the Swan) is a brilliant white star directly to the north of Deneb Algedi. Altair, the first-magnitude star in Aquila the Eagle, is also directly north of the Algedi in the western portion of the constellation.

Alan Oken points out that Capricorn contains two objects of astronomical interest. The first is a global cluster southwest of Deneb Algedi. the second phenomenon, called the Capricornids, consists of a shower of long, bright, slow moving meteors which occurs each year in late July.

The Goat’s position lies entirely below the celestial equator and is surrounded by Sagittarius on the west, Aquila on the northwest, Delphinus and Cygnus due north, Aquarius on the east, and the constellations of Microscopi and Pisces Austrinus on the south.

Alice Bailey adds her esoteric interpretation of the constellation of Capricorn. She refers to three constellations connected to Capricorn. One is called Sagitta the arrow but has no connection to the sign Sagittarius. In the sign of Sagittarius there is the archer whereby the achieving aspirant pierced the personality. In Capricorn the arrow comes from the cosmic source piercing the heart of the son of God , called the Christ, the nearest to us of the great world saviours, ” a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”. He was pierced by the arrow Sagitta, the cosmic arrow. Alice Bailey elaborates on this theme writing that the Hebrew name for this arrow means “the desolate one”, and the path that every disciple treads is necessarily a lonely one. The path of the initiate is more lonely still. The path of the world saviour is the most lonely of all.

Aquila, the eagle, is regarded as being as closely related to Capricorn as to Sagittarius. You have the bird of light (symbol of the highest aspect of man) manifesting as the soul (the second aspect) which has achieved.

In Delphinus Alice Bailey remarks about the interesting constellation that holds in it an amazing piece of symbolism. It is pictured in an ancient zodiac as a fish full of life leaping out of the water into the air and playing. That is the symbol of the son of god who, working under the law, takes form and lives in the water and the air and since he is no longer held by the physical law he can play with the forces of nature.

Saturn or Kronos in Mythology

To understand the symbolism behind Capricorn we need to look at the mythology behind its ruler Saturn. Saturn has many different guises – he is sometimes depicted as Father Time or the Grim Reaper with his scythe or the Lord of Karma, the Taskmaster or the Devourer. His Greek name is Kronos from where the word, ‘chronology’, meaning time is derived. Kronos was the youngest of twelve Titans, born anthropomorphically of Ge – Gaia/Earth and Ouranos – Uranus/Sky. Kronos castrated his father Ouranus. Following this coup d’etat, Kronos married his sister Rhea who gave birth to four children whom he promptly swallowed, on hearing a prediction that he in turn would be overthrown by one of his children. Rhea tricks her husband by hiding the youngest child, Zeus, and giving Kronos a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes which he swallows instead, hence the reference to the Devourer. When Zeus reaches manhood he liberates his siblings from their father’s body and after a 10 year battle Zeus in turn emerges triumphant just as his father before him had usurped power from his father, Ouranos. Therefore, Kronos or its Roman counterpart, Saturn, in our chart is associated with time, karma, the authority figure, the teacher, the father, discipline, restriction, separation, boundaries, the physical body, diligence, responsibility, guilt, depression and vulnerability. Alice Bailey in her book, The Labours of Hercules, illuminates us further on the role of Capricorn.

The Tenth Labour of Hercules

Hercules’ Teacher tells him that his tenth task is to rescue Prometheus from his terrible suffering in Hell, that of being chained to a rock and having his liver pecked at by vultures; the punishment meted out to him for stealing the fire of the gods. His suffering made even more terrible by the fact that he cannot die, being immortal. Before he can rescue Prometheus he must slay Cerberus, the triple-headed dog that guards the Underworld. Hercules begins his descent into Hades or Hell until he comes to the river Styx that the souls of the deceased must cross. So sombre is the visitor from the upper world that Charon, the ferryman, forgets to charge Hercules the customary fee. After an encounter with the ugly snake-haired Medusa he has an audience with Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, who asks him what a living mortal is doing in his realms. When Hercules tells Hades what his mission is, he informs him that first he must conquer Cerberus with his bare hands, a feat no one has yet performed. If he is successful, Hades tells him he may unbind the suffering Prometheus. Hercules succeeds in slaying the snarling Cerberus by grasping the central head in a vice like grip, and causing its strength to gradually subside. Having conquered the dreaded Cerberus, he then sets free Prometheus by breaking his chains. Bailey explains the symbolism of the three heads of Cerberus. The three heads symbolise sensation, desire and good intentions. The central head which was grasped by Hercules was the most important one, since desire underlies all sensations. The third head is good intentions not carried out. The tail of Cerberus is made of serpents which Bailey states typifies all illusions that impede the progress of spiritual life.

Capricorn Health and Anatomy

Anatomically, Capricorn rules the skin, teeth, knees and skeleton, sometimes causing these to be vulnerable areas for Capricorns or those with a Capricorn ascendant or Saturn prominent in their charts. The book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, written by Vanda Sawtell links the biochemic salts to the twelve signs of the zodiac. She states that biochemistry is an ancient Sanskrit science which was rediscovered by Dr Schuessler in the nineteenth century. The Biochemic cell salt allocated to Capricorn is Calcium Phosphate, the principle salt used in the bony framework of the body. The body requires more Calcium phosphate than any other mineral salt as it not only plays a vital role protecting bones and teeth but also assists in assimilation and digestion. Capricorns or indeed anyone with any of these deficiencies will benefit from taking this vital cell salt. Other illnesses associated with Capricorn or Saturn afflictions are stiffness of joints and muscles, chronic rheumatic complaints, arthritis, chills, colds, catarrh and flu, deafness and depression. It is also linked to the gall bladder, calcium metabolism and anti-peristaltic movement. Capricorn is a cold sign so Capricorns would benefit from more heat producing foods such as curries, hot soups and other spices. Bach flower remedies include mimulus, rock water and red chestnut. Homeopathic remedies include Belladonna, Nux vomica and Natrium muriaticum. Aromatherapy oils which would be beneficial are cypress, honeysuckle, myrrh and patchouli. The healing musical note is F# (F sharp).

Capricorn Hall of Fame
Capricorns are born managers and administrators, being willing to work long and hard to achieve their goals. Since they are born under the sign which rules status, prestige and worldly acclaim they want more than just a job with a good income. They want recognition for their talents. Capricorns are drawn to careers such as banking, accountancy and insurance, and politics. Like their fellow earth sign, Virgo, Capricorns have phenomenal organisational skills and self-discipline. Their ruler, Saturn, which represents tradition, inclines Capricorns toward careers in large corporations or established business or the civil service. Saturn rules structures so it is not surprising that many Capricorns choose careers in real estate, property development, the building and construction industry or architecture. Rules and regulations belong to Saturn’s domain, making law, especially corporate law an attractive option for Capricorns. Success seems to come naturally to Capricorns, as is the case with the billionaire Howard Hughes, Conrad Hilton, and Aristotle Onassis. With their natural Saturnian attributes the mantle of authority sits easily on their shoulders, as is the case with political leaders such as William Gladstone and David Lloyd George. However, when Saturnian energy is misused there can be an abuse of power such as with J Edgar Hoover’s witch-hunts of Communists or the scandal of “Watergate” which occurred under the watch of Capricornian President, Richard Nixon.

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Joan Baez

Music is also a natural Capricorn attribute with Elvis Presley, Joan Baez, Odetta and Marianne Faithful numbered among their ranks.

Capricorn has its share of spiritual proponents in Johannes Kepler, Kahlil Gibran, Alan Watts, Maharishi Makesh Yogi, Martin Luther King Jnr., and the saints Therese Lisieux, and Bernadette of Lourdes and Saint Mary of the Cross

Saint Mary of the Cross

Overview for Capricorn for 2018

Pluto continues its passage through your sign, Capricorn, bringing change and transformation in its wake. Saturn, your ruling planet, moves in to your sign, Capricorn on 20 December. Uranus, the planet of sudden change, continues its passage through your domestic sector bringing the unpredictability in this area of your life. Lucky Jupiter continues its passage through your career and goals sector bringing new opportunities to this area of your life. You may even combine travel and work with business trips overseas.

CareerYou should have reaped the benefits from Lucky Jupiter’s passage through your career sector until October 2017 imbuing you with enthusiasm to achieve your goals with opportunities to expand your career and gain that much sought after promotion.

FinancesYour finance sector will be highlighted by the karmic South Node and two eclipses – a solar eclipse occurs on 15 February 2018 in the 2nd house of your money and possessions, and a total lunar eclipse occurs on 27 July 2018. A total lunar eclipse occurs on 31 January and solar eclipse occurs on 11 August 2018 in your 8th house of debt, taxes and other people’s money.

Travel and Higher EducationTravel and Higher education are highlighted with the presence of the karmic north node in your travel and higher education centre. Venus the goddess of love and pleasure visits your travel and education sector from 11 July to 6 August making it an ideal time for that romantic getaway or pleasure cruise. Mercury’s presence here from 7 – 22 September will facilitate your capacity study and research.

Communication and Immediate EnvironmentYour communication and immediate environment sector is being activated by feisty Mars, nebulous Neptune and Chiron. Dynamic Mars makes its presence felt here from 16 November 2018 to 1 January 2019. During this time you could find yourself embroiled in disputes with siblings or neighbours but once Mars makes its exit you should be able to tune into the gentler Neptunian energy which would enhance your intuitive and creative powers.

Home and FamilyUranus, the co ruler of Capricorn and the planet of upheaval and sudden change, continues its passage through your solar 4th house of home and family so you can expect changes in this area of your life. It could be summed up as “Expect the unexpected! ” It would be an ideal time to move house or undertake renovations, especially when Venus graces your domestic sector with her presence from 7 – 31 March the urge to beautify your home will be strong. Venus will also inspire you to entertain and will promote harmonious family relations. Quicksilver Mercury pays a visit to your domestic sector from 7 March to 13 May encouraging communicating and networking with family members.

Romance, Children and CreativityCosmic visitors include Mercury and Venus. Venus, the Goddess of Love, graces your children and romance sector with her presence from 1 – 21 April bringing creative inspiration, fun and pleasure to the areas of romance and children. Mercury pays a visit from 14 – 29 May encouraging communication with your children. The normally serious Capricorn should be able to down tools and embrace the inner child and have some fun!

RelationshipsYour relationship, marriage and partnership sector is highlighted by a solar partial eclipse on 13 July 2018. Venus’s presence here from 20 May to 13 June will enhance your love prospects. Mercury’s presence here from 13 – 29 June will facilitate communications within your intimate and business partnerships.

FriendshipsJupiter, the planet of good fortune, in your friendship sector promotes expanding social networks. Venus lends her charm here from 3 December 2018 to 7 January 2019 allowing you to forge positive bonds with friends. Communication and networking is emphasised when Mercury pays a visit here from 11 – 31 October encouraging socialising and expanding your social networks. You are bound to have a busy social calendar.

SpiritualityKarmic Saturn continues finally moves out of your 12th house of spirituality on 21 December 2017. Lucky Jupiter will move into your spirituality sector on 9 November 2018. Jupiter is where you seek meaning in life so you will be exploring your deeper spiritual urges. Quicksilver Mercury spends an extended visit here from 1 November 2018 to 5 January 2019 facilitating communication in this area of your life. It would be an ideal time to keep a journal of your dreams and spiritual aspirations. Part Of Mercury’s time here will be in retrograde motion from 17 November to 5 December which will encourage introspection.

New Moon in SagittariusA New Moon in Sagittarius at 26 degrees 31′ will occur on 18 December at 5.30 pm. A new moon is a time to set your intentions for the upcoming cycle. The close alignment of the New Moon with Venus augurs well for harmonious festive season. Mercury, the planet that rules Gemini, will turn direct on 23 December just in time for Christmas festivities. Saturn, the planet of reality, practicality and structure will leave idealistic Sagittarius and move into its own sign of Capricorn on 20 December enabling you to manifest your visions in a practical fashion.

Sagittarius the archerguides his fiery steedman and horse fused into oneHe perceives the visionand aims his arrow highthat shaft of lightand races onwards towards his goal

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The illustration in the astrology card depicts Arjuna, warrior and seeker of spiritual truth in the Indian epic song Bhagavad Gita, and Lord Krsna, his teacher. Krsna urges Arjuna to adopt a path of action freed from fear, reaction and inner conflict, offering a vision of the Self which is shining, limitless and untouched by sorrow.

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for SagittariusThe Personality sounds his note: Let food be sought.
The Soul sounds it clarion call: I see the goal, I reach the goal and then I see another.

Happy birthday to all the Sagittarians who celebrate their birthdays from 22 November to 21 December. Sagittarius is one of the four mutable signs, the others being Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. It forms the triplicity of fire signs along with Aries and Leo.

Symbolism of SagittariusSagittarius is depicted as the immortal Centaur half man/half horse. It is therefore a dual sign as Centaur is endowed with the creative higher mental attributes of man as well the physical power of the horse to carry out and manifest Man’s ideas. It’s duality is also evident in the glyph of the arrow with sign divided by a line on the lower part of the shaft. This duality symbolises the battle between the higher aspirations of man versus the lower natures of our animal nature.

Sagittarius, the domain of Jupiter which rules over the higher mind represents travel both literally and metaphorically – his thoughts shoot out in all directions inspiring humanity with his far-reaching vision and understanding. The glyph on the physical plane corresponds to the haunches, loins, thighs and the upper limbs. The head of the arrow depicts the fusion of the legs into one thrusting unit and the line of the bottom of the shaft represents the knees. Therefore, Sagittarius is the seat of locomotion in the body as it the action of both moving legs that propels him toward achieving his goal. This represents the single pointedness of Sagittarius who has the potential to transcend his dualism and become focused and achieve synthesis in fusing his duality into wholeness.

In the Northern hemisphere Sagittarius is the last sign to complete its cycle before the beginning of the new year. There it marks a period of long nights and short days with autumn taking its leave followed by the hibernation of the winter months. Sagittarius also marks a period of celebration with the winter solstice which brings thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years Day all under the auspices of the following sign of Capricorn.

The Constellation of Sagittarius

In his book Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology, Alan Oken elaborates on the constellation of Sagittarius. “The constellation which outlines the Archer-Centaur is composed of eight bright but otherwise undistinguished stars, divided into two subgroupings: the Milk dipper representing the Centaur’s body and the Bow. There is an additional frontal star called Al Naal – the point which is the head of the arrow. The Milk Dipper (Ursa Minor) which contains Polaris, the North Star. It is inverted and gets its name because its handle is placed in a star cloud of the Milky Way. The Archer is eternally after the Scorpio with his arrow aimed directly at Antares, the great red heart of the Scorpion. Although the actual constellation is not spectacular from an astronomical point of view, the region in space in which this asterism is placed most certainly is. Within the Archer’s range is the huge Sagittarius stellar cloud, composed of million of suns. The constellation Sagittarius is unique in that it points toward the Galactic Centre. Sagittarius is easily found low in the southern sky of summer. It is bordered on the east by Capricorn, on the west by Scorpio, on the north by Aquila, the Eagle, and on the northwest by the Serpent.

Alice Bailey in her book, The Labours of Hercules, explains the esoteric symbolism of the constellations associated with Sagittarius. The three constellations Bailey alludes to are Lyra, Draco and Aquila. Lyra is the seven stringed harp upon which the aspirant learns to play and make music with his life. Ara is the altar upon which the aspirant places all, detaching himself so that he may more perfectly and fully serve. Draco is the serpent of wisdom, Summing up the role of Sagittarius, Bailey says: “Music in the life of harmony, sacrifices in the personality reactions and desires, and wisdom. And hovering over two other constellations: Aquila, spirit: and Cygnus, the soul.”

The Ninth Labour of Hercules – Killing the Stymphalian Birds

Hercules’ task in the ninth Labour is to get rid of the hideous, raucous, predatory birds of Stymphalus that are wreaking havoc in the marshes of Acadia. Three birds, on perceiving Hercules, swoop down upon him but Hercules holds his ground warding off their attacks with his heavy club. At first he tries to kill them with a quiverful of arrows but to no avail. Then he remembered the wise counsel given to him by his Teacher: “The flame that gleams beyond the mind reveals direction sure.” He gets rid of the man-eating birds dwelling in the marshes of Acadia by repeatedly clashing the cymbals given to him by Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Frightened by this terrible noise the birds arise out of the marshes and Hercules mounts onto his winged horse and shoots them with his arrows. Bailey explains the esoteric symbolism of the myth. She states that Sagittarius is the sign preparatory to Capricorn and it is called in some ancient books “the sign of silence”. In ancient mysteries the newly admitted brother had to sit in silence, he was not allowed to walk or speak: he had to be, to work and to watch, because one cannot enter the spiritual kingdom, or climb the mountain of Capricorn, until there has been restraint of speech and control of thought. That is the lesson of Sagittarius: restraint of speech through control of thought. Sagittarius is the little gate to Capricorn. There are two cosmic gates: Cancer, the gate into incarnation: Capricorn, the gate into the spiritual kingdom. Bailey says she likes to think of it as the little gate at the foot of the hill through which one passes before climbing the mountain and in passing through that little gate, we demonstrate our ability to rightly use the arrows of thought. That is the great test. Alice Bailey explains the esoteric symbolism behind the three man-eating birds and the marshes. The marshes are a symbol of the mind plus emotions. The birds that did the most harm were three in number. In one book they are enumerated: cruel gossip, talk of the self, selfish talk; and casting pearls before swine. Symbolically, the role of the Sagittarian is to get these birds out of the marshes where they can be seen and conquered.

Sagittarian Hall of Fame

Sagittarius rules the ninth house of the birth chart which has dominion over philosophy, religion, metaphysics, law, publishing, higher education, long distance travel and sport. Jupiter, its ruling planet, is the giant of our solar system, 318 times larger than our planet Earth. It also spins faster than any other planet. Like the other fire signs Aries and Leo, Sagittarians are extroverts. Their role is to disseminate their knowledge and this they do with great enthusiasm, no matter what career they undertake. Sagittarius is known as “the sign of the prophet” Prophet and guru are larger than life labels that have been attached to some very famous Sagittarians. Nostradamus, the famous French seer, was one such Sagittarian whose famous quatrains predicted the future. Another prophet of the new millennium is Arthur C. Clarke whose 2001: A Space Odyssey captured the imagination of the collective. His 3001: The Final Odyssey actually takes place on one of the moons of Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius. Clarke took his writing very seriously, believing that science fiction writers performed an important role in predicting the future and raising the moral issues arising from the technological and space age.

Steven Spielberg

Another very visionary and creatively gifted Sagittarian is Steven Spielberg who was inspired by the imagination of Walt Disney and is now acknowledged as much as his former childhood hero through such movies as ET.

Sai Baba

Another Sagittarian whose spiritual teachings and healings have inspired millions of seekers is Sai Baba. Sagittarians, with their natural predilection to think big, can become very successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists. One such famous Sagittarian is Andrew Carnegie who donated hundreds of millions of dollars amassed from his fortune made in steel to typical Jupiterian causes, such as libraries, education and peace. The renowned French philosopher, Voltaire, wrote ‘Candide’ which is a biting satire on optimism, one of the main Sagittarian traits. The Sagittarian, like the Centaur he represents, can be prone to bawdiness and boisterousness. These qualities are epitomised by the two show business icons, Billy

Bette Midler

Connelly and Bette Midler, whose larger than life jovial personalities have entertained millions with their downright bawdy and often outrageous jokes and antics. Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Jimi Hendrix, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, Joan Armatrading and Frank Sinatra demonstrate the typical Sagittarian ardour in their performances. Other notable Sagittarian celluloid heroes include Jane Fonda, Kim Basinger, John Malkovich, Kirk Douglas, Sir Ralph Richardson, and Kenneth Branagh. Sagittarians can also be attracted to a career in politics such as Sir Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli, and locally Kim Beazley, Cheryl Kernot and Amanda Vanstone.

Sagittarian Health and Anatomy

As well as ruling the hips and gluteal muscles, Sagittarius rules the sciatic nerve, iliac arteries and veins. It also has considerable influence over the liver, lungs and motor nerves. Structurally it rules the four vertebrae of the coccyx, the sacral bones and femur. Afflictions associated with this sign are rheumatism, sciatica, nervous disorders, hypersensitivity, heart and lung disease and eye disorders. In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’ Vanda Sawtell, writes that the biochemic cell salt allocated to Sagittarius is Silica. Under the microscope the molecules of this cell salt are pointed and triangular like an arrow head, the symbol for Sagittarius. Silica has been called the lancet of biochemistry acting as Nature’s surgeon. Wherever there is pus to be discharged such as in boils, abscesses, carbuncles etc., this salt is indicated. Silica has a very definite action upon the sweat glands of the skin, and is a remedy for perspiration of the feet; copious night sweats and insufficient perspiration. Other indications for this cell salt are red eyelids; caries of the bones; tonsillitis; ulceration of the throat; styes of the eyelids; cataracts; dullness of hearing with catarrh of the eustachian tubes. Silica gives the glossy finish to hair and nails. It is found in the connective tissues of the brain and nervous system, and lack of Silica causes inability to connect one’s thoughts, bad memory, and nervous disorders. Individuals born under this sign need to guard against chest or lung troubles, being the polar opposite sign of Gemini which rules the chest and lungs, blood disorders, and poor digestion.

They are liable to suffer from nerve depletion from over-exhaustion. Bush walking and mountain climbing are ideal exercises for these free spirited individuals, enabling them to exercise their hips and thighs and promote deep breathing to strengthen any possible chest weakness. Being a hot and choleric sign they should avoid stimulants and intoxicating beverages. Their diet should include fruits that have cooling effect on their system such as citrus, berries and bananas. Grains such as oats, wheat and barley are beneficial for the nervous system of the highly-strung Sagittarian. Other suitable foods include asparagus, corn, endive, cucumber, red cabbage and apples. Aromatherapy oils that can be a balm for the highly active Sagittarian include bergamot, calendula, lemon balm, and rosemary.

2017 – 2018 Overview for Sagittarians

Saturn in SagittariusSaturn continues its sojourn through your sign until 20 December 2017 bringing you an opportunity to restructure your life and build strong foundations for a secure future. Not easy for freedom loving Sagittarians for whom the sky is the limit! You may sometimes feel that you are overwhelmed with work and responsibility but the extra effort will pay dividends in the long run. The hard slog of Saturn will be offset by lucky Jupiter your ruling planet, which is in your social sector enabling you to balance your hard work and responsibility with much needed downtime with friends and associates.

Romance and Relationships With Uranus, the planet of sudden change, still moving though your romance sector in the volatile sign of Aries there could be a bit of spark in your love life. If you are looking for a steady commitment you may be disappointed as the erratic energy of retrograde Uranus may bring some surprises. It could be a case of expect the unexpected and not the time to make firm commitments but rather just go along for the ride. This sector also rules children and creativity so there can be upheavals in this area of your life. Positively you may impress everyone with your unique creativity.

Your marriage and relationship sector will be highlighted by a solar partial eclipse on 13 July 2018. Some cosmic visitors make an appearance in your relationship and marriage sector. Mercury, the planet of communication pays a visit here from 7 – 21 June 2017 facilitating communication with your partner. Venus, the goddess of love, graces your partnership sector with her presence from 6 – 31 July 2017 and 7 – 31 March 2018 enhancing your powers of attraction and opportunities for romance.

FinancesPluto, the lord of the Underworld, continues his journey through your finance sector. Pluto can push you out of your comfort zone and you may feel that making enough money is a matter of life and death as Pluto challenges your deepest primal fears. However, Pluto’s Greek counterpart Hades means wealth so it can also work in your favour, resulting in increased wealth. Whichever way the dice falls for you from rags to riches or vice versa you are sure to be re-evaluating your attitude to finances and possessions and in the process re-evaluating you self-worth. Mercury, the planet of communication and commerce, visits your finance sector from 1-5 January 2017 and then again from 13 January to 7 February 2017 making it an ideal period to do your book-keeping to stay informed of the current state of your finances. Part of Mercury’s time in your finance sector will be in retrograde motion from 19 December 2016 to 7 January 2017 and from 12 – 31 January 2018 making it an ideal time to review your finances. Venus will enhance your finances when she graces your finance sector with her presence from 25 December 2017 to 18 January 2018.

Home and FamilyNeptune and Chiron continue their sojourn through your domestic sector. Neptune, the planet of losses and sacrifices, continues its 14 year sojourn in your sector of home and family. You may find that you have to surrender some ideals regarding your home and family and formulate new ones. The fourth house also represents your core self so you may undergo a deep inner transformation and feel the need to withdraw to do some soul-searching. You may experience ‘divine discontent’ or confusion around issues to do with the family. You may have to sacrifice your time and energy to look after a sick loved one. There may be dissolution of the family through divorce or loss of a family member. However its presence is felt, Neptune will be teaching you the lesson of non-attachment with regard to your home and family. Other cosmic visitors to your domestic sector include Chiron, the planetoid concerned with wounding and healing, as well as Mercury and Venus. Mercury visits from 26 February – 13 March 2017 and from 19 February to 6 March 2018 which will facilitate communication among family members and is also an excellent time to organise tradespeople to do repairs. Gentle Venus will grace your domestic sector with her presence from 4 january to 3 February 2017 and from 11 February to 6 March 2018 bringing harmony on the domestic front.

Creativity and ChildrenUnpredictable Uranus continues its sojourn in your 5th house of creativity, children and romance making the motto “Expect the unexpected” an apt theme. Other celestial influences here are Venus and Mercury. Mercury pays a visit here from 14 – 31 March 2017 and for an extended visit from 7 March to 13 May 2018 facilitating communication and playfulness with your children. Part of Mercury’s visit here will be retrograde from 23 March to 14 April. Gentle Venus’s presence here from 4 February to 3 April 2017 and from 7 to 31 March 2018 will bring harmony and enhance creative inspiration.

Travel and EducationIn 2017 2018 your travel and education sector will be highlighted by the karmic North Node and two eclipses a total lunar eclipse on 31 January and a solar eclipse on 11 August 2018. Two other cosmic visitors will be Mercury and Venus. Mercury will pay a visit here from 7 – 15 July 2017 and an extended visit from 30 June to 6 facilitating communication in your travel and study zone. Part of Mercury’s visit here will be retrograde from 26 July to 18 August 2018 so it is important that you check all dates to avoid confusion with travel plans. Gentle Venus will grace this sector with her presence from 27 August to 20 September 2017 and 14 June to 10 July 2018 making it an ideal time for a romantic getaway.

Relatives, Neighbours & Short Distance TravelYour 3rd House of immediate environment and short distance travel will be highlighted by the karmic South Node and two eclipses the first a solar eclipse on 15 February and the second a lunar eclipse on 27 July 2018 bringing issues to a head. This sector will be activated by the presence of dynamic Mars from 17 May to 13 August and then again from 12 September to 15 November 2018. Mars will imbue you with the energy to tackle any issues with siblings, relatives or neighbours. You could also be busy making short journeys. Part of Mars’s visit here will be retrograde from 26 June to 13 August which turns the normally dynamic Martian energy inward.

Friends and GroupsYour social sector will be activated by the presence of dynamic Mars from 23 October to 9 December 2017 promising you a social whirl for the festive season. Other cosmic players include quicksilver Mercury and gentle Venus. Mercury pays two visits here first from 1 – 17 October 2017 and 23 September to 10 October 2018 and from 7 August to 9 September 2018. Mercury’s presence here will facilitate communication and networking. Venus’s presence here from 15 October to 7 November 2017 and from 7 August to 9 September 2018 will add extra sparkle to your social life.

New Moon in Scorpio – 17/18 NovemberThe New Moon occurs in regenerative Scorpio 17/18 November at 10.42 pm. There is a line up of planets in Scorpio – Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Venus will encourage deep soul searching and elicit intense emotions. The Sun and Moon form a strong trine with Chiron, the wounded healer. This primal energy affords us an opportunity to face our shadow in order to heal and transform ourselves rising like the phoenix from the ashes.

The conjunction of Venus and Jupiter augurs well for love and relationships bringing opportunities for new romance or the deepening of an existing relationship. It also fosters sociability as well as enhancing finances.

Australia says YES to same sex marriage

The Jupiter Venus conjunction also coincides with the celebration of the success of the yes campaign for same sex marriage postal survey in Australia which was announced on 15 November. Venus and Jupiter make a lovely trine with Neptune inspiring compassion. The New Moon is a time to set intentions, make new goals initiate new projects which will come to fruition at the Full Moon.

Retrograde Mercury – 3 December 2017Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods and the planet of communication and short distance travel turns retrograde on 3 December at 29 degrees 18 in Sagittarius. This can cause all manner of confusion and delays in communication and travel. Therefore, it is important that you dot your Is and cross your Ts to avoid misunderstandings and missed appointments. Mercury will be conjunct Saturn which will give a serious tone to communications. However, Mercury also trines Uranus so there could be some inspirational ideas. Mercury will turn direct again 23 December at 13 degrees Sagittarius normalising communications for the festive season.

Full Moon Supermoon – 4 December 2017
This Full Moon It will occur 4 December at 2.46 am AEDT at 11 degrees Gemini 40. Being in the sign of Gemini it is about communication. This Supermoon will appear much bigger than normal being the only visible Supermoon this year. Things will come to fruition that were seeded at the New Moon.

Scorpio, mistress of the Underworldwith penetrating mind and eyeguards all life’s mysteries.She dies to be rebornlike the snake that sheds its skinShe walks the path twixt dark and lightAnd rises up to reach the Sun

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The illustration depicts Kurukulla, Deity of Desire and meditative symbol of Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia, dances with one foot on the corpse of personified ego. Wearing her garland of freshly severed heads, she draws her bow symbolising transformation of passion into wisdom.

Happy birthday to all the Scorpios who celebrate their birthdays between October 23 and November 21. Scorpio is one of the four fixed signs, the others being Aquarius, Taurus and Leo. It forms the triplicity of water signs along with Cancer and Pisces.

Symbolism of ScorpioIts ruling planet is Pluto, the god who rules over the Underworld and its co-ruler is Mars, the god of war. In the Northern hemisphere it marks the beginning of and the retreat of the animals into their hibernating caves. Scorpio has traditionally come to represent the harbinger of the dark and cold. Therefore, it symbolises regeneration when everything dies or goes to sleep until the advent of spring. It gives people a chance to balance their lives and to cultivate their inner beings. Scorpio, then, is the harbinger of the necessary sleep so that all of nature’s creations can be awakened afresh with greater strength. Scorpio rules the eighth house in the horoscope which has dominion over all the mysteries of life – sex, death and rebirth. The glyph for Scorpio, the letter m with the tail depicts the coils of the serpent, with its poisonous fangs ready to strike an adversary. It is also a symbol for the concentrated tension in the sexual organs of the male in the state of excitation.

The Constellation of Scorpio

In his book, ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’, Alan Oken writes that Scorpio is among the largest of the twelve constellations and is one of the most easily distinguishable since it is composed of notably large and bright stars. The sign of the Scorpion is known for its secrecy and the constellation certainly corresponds to this characteristic. Only the tips of its foreclaws peer above the ecliptic. The rest of its magnificent body and long, arched tail remains “hidden” (though clearly visible) in the multitude of stars of the Milky Way. At the heart of the Scorpion is the giant red star Antares. It is as famous in the history of the cosmic family of stars as Scorpio itself, for in the days of ancient Egypt and Greece many temples were erected to coincide with its heavenly cycles. Antares is also at the approximate centre of the huge cloud Nebula in Scorpio.

Alice Bailey in her book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’, describes Antares as one of the four royal stars, and as the reddest star in the heavens attributes its red colour to desire. There are some other constellations which Bailey says are of great interest. First there is Serpens, which symbolises the serpent of illusion, the serpent we meet in Genesis, which deluded Eve. The second is Ophiucus, the man who wrestles with the serpent. The ancient zodiac portrays the hands of this man. He seizes it with both hands and treads on its heart, which is the red star of desire. As he does this he looks towards the crown, in the constellation of Libra. Bailey explains the esoteric implications of this symbolism. The personality symbolised by Ophiucus, struggling with the serpent of illusion, with the crown held before him, towards which he aspires. The third constellation is called Hercules and portrays the aspirant looking not at the crown but at the eagle, Aquila, which symbolises the spirit aspect. He is occupied with that marvellous symbol of light emerging, which makes all victory possible.

The Eighth Labour of Hercules

In her book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’, Alice Bailey elucidates the test of Scorpio. Hercules’ teacher tells him that his task is to slay the loathsome nine headed monster, the Lernean Hydra, who dwells in the stagnant, putrid swamp of Lerna. His teacher gives Hercules one word of counsel to prepare him for this labour. He says, “We rise by kneeling; we conquer by surrendering; we gain by giving up.” At first Hercules tries destroying the hydra by severing its heads but each time he does this two more grow in its place and it grows stronger not weaker with each assault. Then Hercules remembers the words of his teacher, “we rise by kneeling.” Casting aside his club, Hercules kneels and grasping the hydra with his bare hands he holds it high above him exposing it to the rays of the sun and the touch of the wind. This action causes the monster to grow weaker and weaker until it withers and dies. This monster, which thrived in the perpetual cave of night could not survive, once exposed to the light. Hercules finds the hydra’s immortal head and buries it still hissing fiercely beneath a rock.

Bailey explains the symbolism behind this labour. The act of kneeling symbolises the need for humility by the disciple. The nine heads of the monster correspond to the nine personality traits that the hero has to overcome in the test for Scorpio in order to gain self mastery. She enumerates them; the first three heads are concerned with the appetite on the physical plane which are sex, physical comfort and money when used for selfish purposes; the second triune are concerned with desire on the astral plane and are fear, hate and ambition; the third triune are tests of the mind, on the mental plane, being pride, separativeness and cruelty. Bailey explains that by raising the monster to the light, Hercules seeks to bring his problem to a higher dimension and so is able to see his dilemma in the light of wisdom and eventually the tame the beast of his unconscious.

Scorpio Hall of Fame

Joseph McCarthy

Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio, is the planet associated with power. Therefore, it is not surprising to see many presidents and prime ministers born under this sign, including Theodore Roosevelt, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Golda Meier, Charles de Gaulle, and Francois Mitterand. Just as Pluto in mythology wore a helmet to make him invisible, Scorpios are often associated with cloak and dagger activities such as were carried out in the anti communist witch-hunts by the Scorpio, Joseph McCarthy.

Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, Democratic Senator and Secretary of State, beaten by Republican Donald Trump in the last year’s hotly contested US presidential race is a Scorpio who celebrates her birthday on 26 October. As I wrote in my previous post both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have strong Mars. Even her bitter opponent Trump when put on the spot by the moderator in the second debate for the two presidential nominees begrudgingly admitted he admires Hillary’s fighting spirit. While Wikileaks leaks against her and her illness did lop off some of her hydran heads she grew some more and came back fighting in true Scorpionic style. Her detractors criticised her for her secrecy and for guarding her privacy but those qualities are the very essence of the Scorpionic nature. The US presidential elections were held on Tuesday 8 November 2016 during the month of Scorpio. It had all the elements of a do or die election as Trump and Clinton went head to head with no holds barred. The US will never be the same as the phenomena of Trump has exposed the ugly shadow of fear, anger, hate, and disillusionment of those people left behind after globalisation and the recent recession towards the ruling elite of US.

In her recently published book What Happened which sold 300, 000 copies in the first week Hillary Clinton gives a candid account of Trump’s campaign, his presidency so far, her primary battle with Bernie Sanders, the sexism she experienced on the campaign trail, and interference into the election by former FBI director James Comey and the Russian government. Truth is stranger than fiction!

Bill Gates

With Scorpio’s dominion over the 8th house ruling other people’s money, many Scorpios are attracted to careers in banking and high finances. One very famous Scorpio who has amassed billions is Bill Gates, the founder of the computer software empire, Microsoft. He owes his success to the legendary powers of concentration of the Scorpio. Scorpio, ruling healing and transformation, attracts many healers, therapists, and psychologists. Not content with skimming over the surface of things their probing minds are perfectly suited for these professions. Its co ruler Mars which rules sharp implements such as knives and scalpels brings its share of surgeons. Their ability to ferret out the truth makes them good detectives. Other famous Scorpios who exude the famous Scorpionic magnetism and allure on stage and screen include Hedy Lamar, Diana Dors, Grace Kelly, Jodie Foster,

The parts of the body governed by Scorpio are the reproductive organs, the bladder, the pelvis of the kidneys, the prostrate, groins, rectum, and nasal bone and septum. In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell writes that the biochemic salt allocated to Scorpio is Calcium sulphate, better known as Plaster of Paris. This salt is a constituent of connective tissues, and is absolutely necessary to promote healing of all kinds. It is present in the bile, and helps destroy worn out red blood-corpuscles by extracting the water from them so that it may be used again by the body. Sulphur has always been recognised as the great purifier, and in combination with Calc. sulph. We have Nature’s great cleansing and healing agent. By the elimination of worn-out red corpuscles the blood is continually purified. Sawtell notes something remarkable about this salt i.e. Calc. sulph. coats all the vascular surfaces of the body, for these surfaces need to be protected from contact from certain fluids. By the wise provision of Mother Nature, Calc. sulph. is present in the fluids of the stomach, and it really forms a thin coating of Plaster of Paris which is not quickly affected by acid.

When this salt becomes deficient the lining of the stomach becomes irritated, causing an ulcerated stomach. All the surfaces of the body which contact moisture, such as eyeballs, nasal passages, mouth, throat, the passage-way into the stomach, the bladder, colon, etc., need the protection of this salt. When Calc. sulph. is lacking in the system we get faulty metabolism which results in boils, carbuncles, gumboils, skin eruptions, disorders of the pancreas and kidneys, chronic diarrhoea, catarrhs, constant discharge of pus from any part, and slow healing due to an unhealthy condition of connective tissue. There are some other interesting points regarding Calc. sulph. and its relation to the sign Scorpio. Calc. sulph. or Plaster of Paris forms egg shells. It is the shells which keep the contents of eggs intact and preserved so that they may fulfil their function. Scorpio rules the procreative glands which create and preserve the procreative germ cells. These germ shells are really little eggs, and must have shells to protect them so that their contents may be preserved intact. The scientific name for these shells is casts, and when there is a deficiency of Calc. sulph. these human egg shells are not strong enough to hold their contents, which then turn to pus. Lack of Calc. sulph. can cause barrenness in females and impotence in males. In the female, the ova have not sufficient Calc. sulph. to complete their casts or shells, then the disintegrated contents form pus in the ovaries and ovarian tubes. In the male, pus from the disintegrated germ cells often collects in the prostate. Fistulas, tears or openings in the wall of the bowel, are also caused by a lack of Calc. sulph.

Halloween and All Saints Day
Not long after the Sun enters Scorpio there are the celebrations of Halloween and All Saints Day which both conjure up images of witches, hobgoblins, fairies and ghosts, all inhabitants of the Underworld.

2017 Overview for Scorpio

Good news for Scorpios! Lucky Jupiter just moved into your sign Scorpio on 11 October and will remain there until 8 November 2018 giving you plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this benevolent energy. Uranus the planet of sudden changes is still moving through your work and health sector so there can be disruptions in this area of your life.

FinancesSaturn, the planet known as the Lord of Karma continues its 2 years’ sojourn in your finances sector focusing on responsible management of your finances.

Work and HealthUranus, the planet of upheaval and sudden change, continues its sojourn through your 6th house of daily routines and health so it is a case of expect the unexpected. Positively, you may be very innovative and gain recognition for your unique contributions in the workplace. There may be sudden illnesses which may motivate you to try a new health regime. Your career sector is highlighted by the karmic North Node and a solar total eclipse on 21 August.

Home & FamilyYour domestic sector is highlighted by the presence of the karmic South Node and two eclipses. The first eclipse, a lunar eclipse occurs on 11 February and the second, also a lunar eclipse occurs on 7 August. Mercury visits there first from 8-25 February. facilitating communication with family members.

Creativity and ChildrenYour creativity, children and romance sector is highlighted with a solar eclipse on 26 February. Neptune continues its 14 year sojourn in your children, creativity and romance sector giving you an opportunity to enhance your creativity and learn Neptune’s important lesson of surrender and non-attachment with regards your children and your romantic aspirations. Neptune is in retrograde motion from 16 June until 22 November. Mercury, the planet of communication visits here from 26 February to 13 March, enhancing your communication and networking.

FriendshipsVenus graces your friendship sector with her presence from 21 September to 14 October promoting harmony and cooperation within your friendships and group affiliations, especially with women friends or groups. Mercury activates your social sector from 12-30 September facilitating communication with friends and promoting your popularity.

Communications, Short Journeys and SiblingsPluto, the planet of transformation, continues its sojourn in the third house, the domain of the immediate environment, siblings and relatives, short journeys and communications. There can be challenges in these areas of your life. Positively, it is an ideal time to do some in-depth study or research or you may discover some latent writing ability. Meditation or yoga would be an ideal way to eliminate obsessive thoughts.

Travel and StudyBoth Mercury and Venus visit your travel and study sector. Mercury, the planet of communication and short distance travel, pays a visit here from 22 June until 6 July facilitating communication and networking in these areas. Gentle Venus also graces your travel and study sector with her presence from 1 to 26 August making it an ideal time to plan that special overseas trip as you will be yearning to explore wider horizons in that faraway exotic location and learn about foreign cultures.

SpiritualityVenus graces your spirituality sector with her presence from 15 October to 7 November bringing harmony and peace and a desire to relax and retreat. Mercury pays a visit from 1-17 October, arousing your curiosity with regard to spiritual topics. You may spend your time reading books on spiritual matters or tap into your intuition or keep a dream journal to understand your deepest motivations.

New Moon in Libra 20 October conjunct Jupiter in Scorpio – redressing the balance in relationshipsThe New Moon in Libra conjuncting Jupiter in Scorpio on 20 October shone the spotlight on relationships with the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal erupting in Hollywood with the exposure of his ‘sexploits’ by the New York Times. With a plethora of actresses, the who’s who of Hollywood and across in the channel in the UK sharing their stories of sexual harassment, abuse and intimidation at the hands of the Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein, coming to the fore the issue has reached a critical mass.

At home here the issue or pay parity was highlighted with Lisa Wilkinson’s highly publicised departure from Channel 9 to seek better pay with its rival channel 10.

The Shadow Side of Sex and Death
The New Moon is a time to initiate new projects and set new goals.Being in the sign of Libra the focus is on relationships and justice and equality and esoterically the focus is on right human relationships. With Jupiter in Scorpio the shadow side of sexuality is being exposed.

As well as ruling sexuality, Scorpio rules death and with the recent intense debate and passing of the bill on Voluntary Assisted Dying in the Victorian Lower House the focus has been on the issue of the right to die with dignity at one’s own choosing.

The other issue that is still very much to the forefront is that of marriage equality with the results of the postal survey on same sex marriage to be announced on 15 November.

I am the Goddess Maatwho weighs the heartsof all mortalson the scales of justiceas they pass throughthe Hall of Judgmentwhere the gods decidethe fate of their souls

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

The illustration in the card for Libra by Sue Robertson depicts Maat, Egyptian Goddess of law, truth and justice, with the god Thoth, in form of a baboon who both played an important part in the judgement of the dead.

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for LibraThe Personality calls out: Let choice be made.
The Soul proclaims: I choose the way which leads between the two great lines of force.

Happy birthday to all the Librans who celebrate their birthdays between September 23 and October 22. Libra is one of the four cardinal signs, the others being Capricorn, Aries and Cancer. It forms the triplicity of air signs along with Aquarius and Gemini. In the Northern hemisphere Libra represents the period of the autumnal equinox, and the vernal equinox in the Southern hemisphere, where the days and nights are equal. Thus Libra stands for equality.

In his book, Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology, Alan Oken explains the symbolism of the glyph. “ We can see from the glyph that it is the Sun sinking under the horizon, showing that night will dominate in the Northern hemisphere. The two lines of the glyph represent the duality of Libra. The top line represents the higher nature of Libra which is primarily governed by the higher powers of the mind: the completely objective state. This is the aspect of the Libran character which is impartial and not attached to matter. It is solely involved with the harmony of the ideas. The bottom line of the Libran glyph stands for matter and personal desire. Libra represents the struggle and the dualism of each human being; on the one hand he is striving toward the bliss of conscious reunion with Divinity, and the other hand he is working for mastery and power over the material sphere of personal desire. The essence of Libra is teaching man how to balance the two urges within himself with the condition of his earthly situation. Libra has rulership over the diaphragm, the portion of the human organism which divides the lower and upper halves of the body. In the glyph the lower line represents the waist proper while the upper line is the diaphragm and the navel.

Botticelli’s Venus

Being the sign of marriage and the dominion of Venus, Libra also has some influence upon the sexual organs, specifically in the connection of that area with the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract.

The Constellation of Libra

In his book Alan Oken’s CompleteAstrology Alan Oken states that Libra is the smallest of the constellations, measuring only 21 degrees in longitude along the ecliptic. The Scales consist basically of a trapezoid of four stars which includes the two best known of Libra’s stars: Zubenelgenubi (the Southern Scale) and Zubeneschmali (the Northern Scale). The first ‘Zuben’ is a yellow and light grey double star and the second has a pale green hue.

The Labours of Hercules
In her book, The Labours ofHercules, Alice Bailey reveals the esoteric symbolism behind the constellation. She refers to three constellations in Libra which she claims are all of special interest. First there is the Southern Cross that has never been seen in the Occident since the time of the Crucifixion, when it was seen at Jerusalem. She notes that the cross is now receding. Four bright stars make up this cross; four the number of matter aspect of man, the quarternary. The cross is receding, and this promise is in Libra, called the open door to Shamballa, the sign in which there is found “the narrow, razor-edged path” which leads man into the kingdom of the soul. The second constellation that Bailey mentions in relation to Libra is that of Lupus, the wolf. Down the ages the wolf’s head has been the symbol of the initiate. However, it is a dying wolf, and the wolf-nature that has devoured the soul nature until now is symbolised as dying out, for as man achieves balance, the activity and power of the wolf dies out. The third is the Corona, the crown which is the symbol based on the story of Ariadne, the mother aspect. Ariadne was given a crown of seven stars by Bacchus, symbol of the second aspect of divinity which glorifies matter by making it the expression of the divine mind.

The Libran Hall of FameLibrans, being ruled by Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, peace, harmony, justice and the arts are attracted to careers in beauty, fashion, interior design, the arts, entertainment, law, writing and public speaking. Their of love of balance and harmony draws them towards careers in diplomacy and peacemaking.

It was the Libran John Lennon who wrote the famous words “Give peace a chance.” It was the Libran Mohandas Gandhi who campaigned tirelessly against injustice and inequality through peaceful means. Their fair-mindedness makes them natural counsellors. Bob Geldof has demonstrated his Libran desire for justice in the causes he has espoused for Amnesty International and famine relief through Bandaid and Live Aid. Librans can also possess good entrepreneurial skills such as Anita Roddick who expanded her single shop into a global enterprise with hundreds of stores worldwide. Another Libran who has put her trademark Libran name on different commodities from optical glasses to beeswax candles and mineral water is Donna Karan. Another Libran, Brigitte Bardot formerly known as the sex goddess of the sixties, now champions the cause of animals whom she sees as being treated cruelly by humans. The former British Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, displayed both the ladylike qualities of Libra but could also be a formidable opponent with her martial Scorpio ascendant.

Susan Sarandon is another very charming Libran who also campaigned against the Iraq War and other controversial causes. Olivia Newton John, another Libran who displays the Libran charm and beauty has run a successful enterprise, Koala Blue, and has supported causes such as of breast cancer prevention. The former Prime Minister Julia Gillard was often heard claiming the laws she passes must be ‘fair and balanced’ and is known for her Libran qualities as a skillful negotiator. Other Librans of note include Franz Liszt, Nietzsche, Graham Greene, George Gershwin, Julie Andrews, Oscar Wilde, Cliff Richard, Arthur Miller, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Ronnie Barker, Catherine Deneuve, Dawn French, Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Libran Health and AnatomyWhen the Sun enters Libra, the seventh sign of the zodiac, it has completed half its cyclic journey through the twelve signs, and in Libra the half-way of balancing point is reached. This is very significant because the symbol of this sign is the scales or balance Vanda Sawtell in her book, Astrology and Biochemistry, says that the biochemic salt allocated to this sign is Natrum phos. or Sodium phosphate, and its function is to preserve the balance between acids and the normal fluids of the body.

The parts of the body governed by Libra are the loins, the lumbar region in general, particularly the kidneys. The Greek word for the kidneys is ‘nephros’, which was derived from a Hebrew word meaning to shake out or distil and filter it into the bladder ready for elimination. The word nephritis meaning inflammation of the kidneys is derived from this word. The alkalinity of the blood must be kept at a certain level to ensure health, thus acid in excess of the body’s requirements has to be eliminated by the kidneys. Therefore, the kidneys are continually balancing the acid/alkaline account of the human body. Conditions arising from an apparent excess of acid are nearly always due to a deficiency of this alkaline salt. Natrum phos. is indicated in all rheumatic disorders, gout, worms, flatulence, diabetes, kidney and bladder weaknesses, eczema, jaundice, and gall stones. A lack of proper balance of this alkaline cell salt in the gastric juices will cause ferments to rise which retard digestion so that the lining of the whole digestive tract becomes involved. This may cause gastric ulceration, dyspepsia, sour taste in the mouth, bilious disorders, diarrhea, etc.

2017 Overview for LibraLibrans, you have had lucky Jupiter your sign since 9 September 2016 which should have brought positive opportunities for Librans. It will remain in your sign until 11 October 2017. The karmic North Node and two eclipses fall in your social sector highlighting this area of your life. Saturn in your communication and siblings sector brings a serious note to these areas of your life. Saturn will give you the stamina to persevere with whatever responsibilities you have here. Erratic Uranus is still in your relationship and marriage sector bringing excitement and a certain unpredictablity here. Neptune is still moving through your work and health sector so there may be sacrifices and adjustments required in this area. Pluto continues its sojourn through your domestic sector bringing about the potential for deep inner transformation for yourself and your family.

Career Cosmic visitors activating your career sector are Mercury and Venus. Venus, your ruling planet, will grace your career sector from 15 October to 7 November bringing harmony and cooperation in the workplace. Mercury will visit your career sector from 1 – 17 October giving opportunities for networking and communicating with your colleagues. There is also planetary activity in your 6th house of work and health with Neptune, the and Chiron all present here. There is also a solar eclipse here on 26 February highlighting issues concerned with work and health.

FinancesVenus, the planet ruling finances, will grace your finance sector with her presence from 8 November to 1 December enhancing your finances. Mercury the planet of communication and commerce will visit your finance sector from 18 October until 5 November stimulating communication, networking and financial transactions.

Home and FamilyPluto, the planet of transformation, continues its extended stay in your domestic centre bringing changes to this area of your life. It gives you an opportunity to delve deeply into your psyche and hidden facts about your family may come to light. You may be challenged to your very core but from this experience you will become empowered and shed a lot of excess baggage. The challenges that this brings may cause you to be pushed out of your comfort zone but it will provide you with an opportunity to transform yourself. Venus, your ruler, also graces your domestic sector with her presence 26 December 2017 to 18 January 2018. This will promote family harmony and inspire you to beautify your surroundings.

Creativity & ChildrenThe karmic South Node and partial lunar eclipse occur here highlighting this area of your life. The lunar eclipse occurs on 7 August. Curious Mercury pays a visit to your creativity and children sector inspiring your creative expression and affording opportunities for discussion about children while liberating your inner child in the process. Mercury pays a visit her from 8 – 25 February facilitating communication with your children.

TravelQuicksilver Mercury pays a visit to your travel sector first from 7 – 21 June. Gentle Venus graces your travel sector with her presence from 6 – 31 July making it an ideal time to have that romantic getaway at some exotic location.

RelationshipsUranus, the planet of sudden change and upheaval, is continuing its journey through your relationship and marriage sector so you can expect upheavals in this area. It could also indicate an exciting new relationship with the keywords ‘Expect the Unexpected!’

FriendshipsThe karmic North node and two eclipses highlight your social sector bringing issues to a head to be resolved. The first is a lunar eclipse which occurs on 11 February and the second eclipse a total lunar eclipse occurs on 21 August. Sweet Venus will grace your social sector with her presence from 27 August to 20 September bringing harmony to your friendships and group affiliations. Quicksilver Mercury pays two visits your social sector from 7 – 28 July and then again from 1 – 10 September facilitating communication and networking.

SpiritualityPlanetary visitors to your spirituality and karma sector include Venus, Mercury and Mars. Feisty Mars will pay a visit here from 6 September to 21 October imbuing you with energy to pursue spiritual activities. Venus makes her presence felt here from 21 September to 14 October causing you to focus on union with a higher force. Mercury pays a visit here from 11 – 30 September giving you the inspiration to explore the mysteries of life whether through books or courses. It will be an ideal time to spend some time in seclusion perhaps spending time in a retreat taking up yoga or meditation or even exploring your past lives.

New Moon in Virgo 19/20 SeptemberThe New Moon in Virgo at 27 degrees 27′ occurs 20 September at 3.29 pm. Virgo rules health, work and service. The New Moon is the ideal time to set your goals and intentions and begin new projects for the forthcoming cycle. Being in the sign of practical, earthy Virgo it gives you an opportunity to attend to practical matters. The New Moon falls in your spirituality sector so it would be a good time to take up activities such as meditation, yoga or the martial arts to maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit. A healthy diet and exercise are also paramount. In fact there is a line up of five planets in Virgo – as well as the Sun and the Moon, Mercury, Mars and Venus are all in Virgo. Virgo is the sign of discernment and critical analysis so it would also be a good time to attend to any activities that require mental concentration. The Mercury and Mars conjunction in Virgo will facilitate mental agility. With such a concentration of planets in Virgo there could be a tendency to be too critical, or strive for perfection leading to burnout. The New Moon is opposed by Chiron, the wounded healer so there will be an opportunity to heal old wounds that resurface. Saturn also makes a square to the New Moon so projects may take more time than anticipated.

Spring/Autumn Equinox 22/23 September
September 23 marks the Spring Equinox in the Southern hemisphere and 22 September the Autumn Equinox in the Northern hemisphere. On September 23 the Sun also enters the sign of Libra. Spring is a time of renewal and in the northern hemisphere they celebrate the onset of spring by burning the witch which represents exorcising the cold dark months of winter. The equinox is a time of heightened vibration marking a powerful portal gateway into a higher consciousness. The Moon will be in Scorpio conjuncting expansive Jupiter which will intensify emotions. Added to the mix is the fact that erratic Uranus with be opposing the Jupiter Moon conjunction which may stir rebellious feelings so there is a need to achieve emotional equilibrium to safeguard against impulsive actions.

Who knows your secrets
Virgo, pure maiden
whose warm dark womb
protects and nurtures
the germ of wisdom
like a grain of wheat
until it ripens
and is brought to light
Mother principle, worshippedas Eve, Isis, Demeter, Ceres
and Mary, Mother of Christ

(c) Anne Robertson 1987

Happy Birthday to all the Virgoans who celebrate their birthdays between August 23 and September 23. Virgo rules the sixth house which has dominion over work and health and service to others. It is one of triplicity of Earth signs – along with Capricorn and Taurus. It is one of four mutable signs – the others being Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. The ruler of Virgo is Mercury which is also the ruler of Gemini.

The sign Virgo is closely associated with harvests, especially those of wheat and corn. Virgo is the Virgin or maiden who is a source of fecundity, depicted carrying a sheaf of wheat or corn freshly plucked from the harvest; esoterically she represents the Virgin Mary pregnant with the Christ child. The Greeks celebrated Demeter, the goddess of the grain, and her daughter, Persephone, in the Eleusinian mysteries. The Romans worshipped her as Ceres, from where the word cereal is derived. There are also associations with Vesta the goddess who was the keeper of the hearth and protectress of the home and community. Her priestesses were known as the vestal virgins whose duty it was to tend the sacred flame that kept the city safe. There is a common misconception that virgin referred to her being prudish and chaste when it really means ‘one within herself’. The vestal virgins typified the true meaning of Virgo the virgin, leading self-contained, contemplative lives and were held in high regard in the community. The glyph for Virgo symbolises the coils of energy in the Virgin’s essence.

There are also biblical references to the Virgo archetype. In the Old Testament Ruth the Moabite is harvesting the fields of Boaz. In the Egyptian pantheon Isis is said to have dropped the wheat she was carrying across the heavens resulting in the Milky Way. As she travelled she was carrying her Divine Son, Horus in her arms. This image of Isis with her Divine child is a precursor to the Christian story of Mary and Jesus. The Great Sphinx has associations with both Leo and Virgo as, esoterically, it symbolises 0 degrees Virgo or 30 degrees Leo, for it has the body of a Lion and the head of a Maiden. The sphinx demonstrates its potency in that it has learned how to tame the animal passions of Leo through the mental precision and purposeful activity of Virgo.

Virgo Hall of Fame
Being the sign of health, work and service, Virgoans are drawn to careers in health such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, chiropractics, hygiene and nutrition. Their keen analytical mind attracts them to careers in education, psychology, psychiatry, counselling, writing, accounting, business management, and computer sciences. No matter what career they pursue they are always, very industrious, efficient, well organised, thrifty and productive.

Goethe

Famous writers include the German writer and poet, Goethe, D.H. Lawrence, Roald Dahl, Mary

Agatha Christie

Shelley, the creator of the book, Frankenstein. One Virgoan author whose keen powers of observation and attention to miniscule detail were put to good use in her murder mysteries is Agatha Christie, the creator of Poirot, Miss Marple and volumes of detective stories.

Maria Montessori teaching children

A Virgo who made great contributions to modern education is the Italian woman, Maria Montessori. In 1896 she was the first woman to graduate from medical school in Rome. She began her career teaching hygiene and then moved to the area of education, with the particular goal of providing education for the poor and needy children. Today we see the legacy of her work with Montessori schools established worldwide.

Mother Teresa

Another Virgo whose tireless labours brought her many accolades is Mother Teresa. The austere life that she and her sisters led is typical of the Virgoan nature. Virgoan entertainers include Buddy Holly and Patsy Cline. Virgoan actors include Peter Sellers, Lily Tomlin, Anne Bancroft, Sophia Loren, Claudia Schiffer, Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Keanu Reeves, Jeremy Irons and Hugh Grant.

Virgo Health and Anatomy

Virgo rules the sixth house whose domain is work and health. The part of the body allocated to Virgo is the solar plexus and intestines. The solar plexus lies directly behind the stomach, and from it twelve different nerve ganglia branch off in all directions: that is how the solar or sun plexus gets its name. Each of the twelve divisions of the solar plexus allocates with one of the signs of the Zodiac, and hence with a certain part of the body. The plexus itself is a little Zodiac. It is sometimes called the lower brain. The solar plexus is the great receiving station of energy from the back brain, while the bowels complete the chemicalisation of the food products ready to be assimilated by the blood. Being connected by its nerve ganglia with all parts of the body, the solar plexus reflects the condition of the entire body. It is not surprising then, that the stomach and bowels are affected when a person is worried or upset, or when the brain is

fagged and weary. Virgoans are known as the ‘worriers of the Zodiac’ with a nervous stomach, making them prone to digestive problems, especially if they identify too much with their perfectionist or workaholic nature. Virgoans need to be able to switch off from their work and learn to relax. Meditation, yoga or martial arts are ideal pursuits to bring harmony and balance to the lives of these industrious, fastidious folk. In the book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell states the Biochemic cell salt for Virgo is Kalisulph., and its function is to manufacture and distribute oil. When the body is in health, little jets of steam are constantly escaping from the seven million pores of the skin. A deficiency of Kali sulph. molecules causes the oil in the tissues to thicken and clog these safety valves of the human machine, thus turning heat and secretions back upon the inner organs, lungs, pleura, membranes of the nasal passages, and all forms of catarrh.

Kali sulph. is also present in considerable quantities in the scalp and hair. When this salt is lacking we get dandruff or falling hair, skin eruptions secreting yellowish oily matter, or inactive dry scaling skim, gastro-duodenal catarrh, ringworm, anaemia, and bronchitis. It is an oxygen carrier to the epidermic and epithelial cells of the skin and membranes, and in this it works with Ferrum phos., which is the salt for Pisces, the polar opposite to Virgo. Vanda Sawtell extols the virtues of Kali sulph., claiming it is a wonderful salt; the oil which it manufactures provides a fuel, a solvent, a lubricant and purifier for the body, just as in a machine. Furthermore, she adds; In old age the human body is very low in oil, and hence looks dry and shrivelled. Skin, hair, intestinal tract, bones all require their full quota of oil. She alludes to the parable of the wise virgins who kept their lamps burning, and the cry of the foolish virgins, “ We have no oil!” Moreover, people deficient in this salt cannot stand a warm room as they feel suffocated and must get out into the cool air. Symptoms are usually worse in the afternoon. She recommends Kali sulph. be given in all children’s diseases where there has been a rash or scaling. It helps to form new skin, and in this it works with the Gemini salt, Kali mur.

Overview for Virgofor 2017FinancesVenus’s presence in your finance from 14 October to 6 November will support you in your financial dealings. Venus feels comfortable here as it is the ruler of your 2nd house of finances and values. It not only gives opportunities to enhance your finances and beautify your surroundings but also encourages you to value your financial prowess. Commercial Mercury’s visit to your finance sector from 1-17 October will encourage communications about your finances. Uranus, the planet of sudden change and unpredictability, is still transiting Virgo’s solar 8th house which may bring upheaval in the area of joint finances.

Career.
Venus graces your career sector with her presence from 1-31 July bringing harmony. Mercury your ruling planet also pays a visit here from 7-21 June enhancing your communicating and networking skills.

Home & FamilySerious Saturn continues its sojourn through your solar 4th house bringing gravity and responsibility to your domestic sector. Venus graces your domestic sector from 2-25 December promoting harmony in your family relationships and giving opportunities to beautify your home. Mercury pays an extended visit in your domestic sector from 6 November 2017 to 11 January 2018 will promote communication and networking with family members.

Creativity & ChildrenPluto, the planet of transformation, continues its passage in your solar 5th house which could cause changes and transformation in the areas of children, romance and creativity. Positively, it can be an ideal time for Virgos to reinvent themselves creatively adding energy and drive to this area of your life causing you to be proactive in pursuing your goals re your children, creativity and romance.

RelationshipsYour relationship sector will be activated this year with the continued presence of Neptune, Chiron here. There will be a solar eclipse on 26 February here. Neptune, the planet of spirituality, continues its 14 year passage in your relationship sector teaching you compassion and non-attachment. Chiron known as the wounded healer is moving through Virgo’s solar 7th house of marriage, relationships and partnerships so there may be opportunities to heal past wounds in this area. The lessons learned from Neptune and Chiron are bitter-sweet but the potential for spiritual growth is manifold. Other planetary visitors to your love sector are and Mercury and Venus. Quicksilver Mercury pays a visit here from 26 February to 13 March highlighting communications with your partners whether intimate of business associates. Sweet Venus graces your relationship sector with her presence from 4 January to 3 February bringing love and harmony to your relationships. Mars activates your love sector from 20 December 2016 to 28 January 2017 which may cause you to be impatient or restless and more determined to have your needs met.

SpiritualityThe karmic north node as well as two eclipses highlight your spirituality sector. The first is an appulse lunar eclipse on 11 February and the second, a total solar eclipse occurs on 21/22 August. Mercury and Venus also visit your spirituality sector. Venus’s presence here from 27 August to 20 September will bring harmony to your social networks for Mercury pays two visits here from 7 – 25 July and then again 1 – 10 September facilitating communication on matters spiritual.

Retrograde MercuryMercury, the planet of communication and commerce, began its retrograde cycle on 13 August at 11 degrees 38 Virgo and turns direct on 5 September at 28 Leo 25. This is particularly significant for Virgos as Mercury rules Virgo. We can expect the usual confusion, misunderstandings in communication, missed appointments, strikes and disruption in transport. Positively, it is an ideal time to review issues depending on the position that Mercury falls in your natal chart.

Total Solar Eclipse 21/22 Aug Impacts the US and Donald TrumpAs I wrote in my previous blog post, the upcoming total solar eclipse on 21 August will trace a path across the central west of the United States bringing issues to a head there. This solar total eclipse is a once in a life time celestial event. The last one like this occurred over the US in 1918 and the one before that occurred in 1869. Both these previous solar eclipses reconstellate the themes of the current eclipse about racism and white supremacy. The Total Solar Eclipse in Leo on 21/22 August will trace a path across the central west of the United States – Trump’s rust belt base – available for view on NASA Eclipse website. The total solar eclipse will also impact the natal chart of President Trump (14 June 1946 10.54 am Queens NY, himself born on an eclipse) with the eclipse in an almost exact conjunction with Trump’s Mars and Leo ascendant while transiting Saturn will conjunct his natal Moon and South Node in Sagittarius. The eclipse falls in the 9th house of the US chart concerning legal matters, foreign affairs, immigration, travel, higher education, philosophy and religion.

Confederate Statues – Heritage or Symbols of Racism and White Supremacy?As I began to write this post we can feel the tension building to a crescendo in the US in the week before the solar eclipse. with the upcoming total solar eclipse on 21 August starting from the Pacific Ocean the moon will trace a wide swath of darkness across the US starting from Oregon and ending in South Carolina. As the moon casts its shadow across the US Americans are being confronted with their own shadow – the ugliness of the truth of the ascendancy of white supremacists and their past history of slavery, the American Civil War and racial oppression. It all began with the ugly demonstrations by the white supremacists, KKK and Neo Nazis who were protesting against

Map of location of Confederate Statues

the planned removal of confederate statues by the Charlottesville Council in Virginia which ended in bloodshed and the death of Heather Heyer, a counter protester, when one of these white supremacists ran over anti racist protesters with his car killing her. The white supremacists, fully armed, were chanting hateful slogans – ‘The Jews will not replace us, Blood and Soil, and Heil Trump!” The term “blood and soil” derived from its original German form “Blut und Boden” a Nazi term placing emphasis on maintaining a pure bloodline by marrying and procreating with those of the same ethnic origin and virtues found in country life.

Trump only escalated the situation when he made the most inflammatory statements to date in his presidency saying that some of the Nazi, KKK and white supremacist demonstrators were fine people. The issues which are polarising people originate in their past history of the civil war and slavery where passions spilled over when the Council of Charlottesville decided to remove the statue of the confederate Robert E Lee. This planned action has precipitated more removals of statues some of which have been removed by angry anti racist protesters and others that are being removed by city leaders citing safety fears. Baltimore Council removed four confederate statues in the dead of night and at least nine other cities are planning to follow suit. This action has sparked a backlash with white supremacists claiming that this is tantamount to genocide of white people!

Most of the statues were erected in the 1890s, as Jim Crow laws were being established and in the 1950s during a period of Southern resistance to the civil rights movement. Between 1890 and 1910 confederate states starting with Mississippi passed new constitutions or amendments that disenfranchised most blacks. The term, Jim Crow is often attributed to “Jump Jim Crow” a song and dance performed by a white actor Thomas D Rice. As a result of Rice’s fame “Jim Crow” by 1838 had become a pejorative expression meaning “Negro” The Nazis were inspired by the Jim Crow laws as a possible model for German society.

Trump plays to his base, angry white male supremacists, while alienating Republicans, Charity groups, Corporate leaders, Religious leaders, World leaders etc.Trump’s moral ambivalence on the violence of these white supremacists has caused a mounting backlash from many different groups in American society. Trump’s stance on the other hand brought a congratulatory tweet from David Duke, the former grand wizard of the KKK thanking Trump for his courage and honesty. Condemnation for Trump’s stance on white supremacists has brought criticism from prominent Republicans asserting that he lacks stability, competence and the moral authority to be a leader. The prominent corporate leaders resigned from his business advisory councils as did the Arts and Humanities Council. An African American Pastor AR Bernard resigned from Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board citing his reason as Trump’s vacillation on moral leadership with regard to the Charlottesville violence. Nine charities have cancelled their Fund-Raisers supposed to be held at Trump’s Resort Mar A Lago in Florida over the coming months. Rupert Murdoch’s son, James Murdoch CEO of 21st Century Fox, condemned Trump for his lack of moral leadership over Charlottesville, pledging to donate $1 million to the Anti-Defamation League. The Anti-Defamation League was originally founded in 1913 to defend Jews against Anti-Semitism. It has just announced “Alliance Against Hate,” a new initiative that will work with public and private sectors to combat hate. To begin, the Anti-Defamation League is launching a partnership with more than 200 mayors — in conjunction with the US Conference of Mayors — with the goal of rejecting hate in cities across the country. Under Trump’s presidency Republicans have been emasculated while fascists have been emboldened.

Arnold Schwarzenegger with Trump bobble head doll

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Republican Governor of California, lampooned Trump in a skit telling a Trump bobble head doll what he should have said about Charlottesville.

Susan Bro , the mother of the young woman Heather Heyer, murdered in the Charlottesville riots refused to return Trump’s phone call after watching his speech on TV equating the counter protesters with the alt right thugs. Her advice to Trump was, “Think before you speak.” Not easy for a man with Mars in Leo on the ascendant. Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix Arizona is disappointed that Trump has heeded his advice to delay his planned campaign style rally in Phoenix on Tuesday as their nation needs time to heal after the tragic events of Charlottesville. Adding to the tension, Trump appeared to hint that he may pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio — a lightning rod for more than a decade in the immigration battle, who was found guilty last month of refusing to follow a judge’s order barring him from racially profiling Latinos.

Shambolic White House – “You’re Fired!”
On Friday we saw the resignation or sacking of alt right Stephen Bannon said to be the main strategist behind Trump’s electoral success. He has resumed his role as CEO of the extreme right wing Breitbart News. He is the latest in a string of staffers to leave the White House. Mr. Trump’s first seven months has been plagued by departures, including Anthony Scaramucci and Michael Dubke, both of whom served as communications director; Michael T. Flynn, the president’s first national security adviser; Sean Spicer, the press secretary; and Reince Priebus, who was chief of staff before Mr. Kelly.

Tony Schwartz, the ghostwriter of Donald Trump’s famous memoir The Art of the Deal doubled down on his prediction that Trump will resign the presidency before the end of the year.”The snowball is beginning to gather momentum as it comes down the mountain,” Tony Schwartz told Anderson Cooper on CNN. “It reminds me a lot of Watergate and the last days of Nixon… He’s put himself in an isolated, no-win position. The level of his destructiveness is staggering.” Schwartz has been an open critic of Trump during his political rise, and telling The New Yorker last year that he “a deep sense of remorse” for his role in Trump’s fame through Art of the Deal. Another commentator claimed that Trump is spiralling down in a vortex of chaos of his own making with a whole staff turnover of his White House in seven months. Trump’s popularity has plummeted even further with a poll showing a 56% disapproval rating in Wisconsin, 55% disapproval rating in Michigan and 54% in Pennsylvania.

Esoteric Keyword Phrases for LeoThe Personality proclaims its keyword: I rule because I am
The Soul proclaims its keyword: I am that and that am I.

Happy birthday to all the Leos who celebrate their birthdays between July 23 and August 22. Leo rules the fifth house, which represents, creativity, children and romance. It is one of the three fire signs along with Aries and Sagittarius. It is one of the three fixed signs – the others being Aquarius and Scorpio. The ruler of Leo is the Sun and marks the hottest astrological month in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the heat of Leo’s Sun which ripens the fruit produced during the period of Cancer. Like the sign Leo the heat is constant and intense. There are biblical references to Leo. In the Old Testament the tribe of Judah is ruled by Leo. There are many examples of the cat deity in the Egyptian pantheon. Egyptian King Necepsos claimed that at the Creation of the world, the Sun rose in Leo near the star of Denebola. According to Alan Oken in his book, ‘Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’, Pliny, the Roman philosopher relates that the Egyptians worshipped this constellation because the Nile rose when the Sun entered the stars.

Hathor, the daughter of the Sun god Ra, was a dual aspected goddess. As well as being the gentle celestial cow, she had a dark side as Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess, who wreaked havoc and bloodshed on those who dared to dissent against her father’s rule. The two lion deities, ‘yesterday’ and ‘tomorrow’, are depicted as guarding the gate to the shadow world. The lion is the emblem of spiritual power and wisdom. It is a sacred symbol of Buddhism. Buddha is said to have had a pet lion which was endowed with miraculous powers, and when the Great Teacher’s death was upon him, he chose to lay down ‘on his right side after the manner of a lion.’ The imperial lion was a symbol of the power of Rome. The feeding of the Christians to the lions symbolised the might of Rome overcoming and devouring any enemy of the state. Richard the Lion Hearted of England was renowned for his ambition to recapture the holy land from the Muslims (by slaying as many of them as possible) under the newly baptised banner of the ‘Lion of Christ.’

The Constellation of Leo

Unlike the faint constellation of Cancer, Leo is a very bright and easily identifiable constellation, in keeping with Leo’s regal demeanour. It lies between Cancer in the West and Virgo in the East and is best seen, in the Northern Hemisphere, in the late winter and early spring. Leo’s body is rectangular which culminates in a triangle of the Lion’s hindquarters. He is often depicted in a crouching position, ready to pounce. His tail is extremely long and curved, the tip of which is the brightest star in the hind triangle, Denebola.The distinguishing feature of the lion is his mane, which resembles a huge inverted question mark or a giant sickle. The point of the question mark is the exceptionally bright star, Regulus, the heart of the lion. Regulus, meaning the little King, the Ruler or the Lawgiver, is one of the four royal stars. The constellation Leo has in it ninety-five stars, two of them of the first magnitude. Its Egyptian name meant ‘a pouring out’, the Nile giving its full irrigation at that season. There are three constellations associated with Leo – Hydra, the serpent, Crater, the cup, and Corvus, the raven. In the zodiac of Denderah, Leo and the three attendant constellations are pictured as forming one great sign, for the lion is seen as treading on the serpent. Corvus, the raven, is perched on the lion’s shoulder, while below is a plumed female figure, holding out two cups, the cup of experience and of suffering.

The Leo Hall of FameLeos are attracted to positions of power like a moth to a flame. Leo has its share of dictators such as Napoleon, Benito Mussolini, Fidel Castro and Simon Bolivar.

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother

Leo is well represented in the British royal family – the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, and the Princess Royal, Princess Anne were all born under the sign of Leo. Other Leos who hold or have held positions of power include Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, former Prime Minister John Howard, and the former treasurer, Peter Costello.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis with her love of fashion, luxury and power is the epitome of Leo.

Leos, being ruled by the fifth house of creativity, are attracted to the screen and stage, including Robert Mitcham, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Antonio Banderas,

Movie moguls are also well represented in the sign of Leo such as Cecil B. De Mille, Dino De Laurentis, Jack L. Warner, Alfred Hitchcock, and Samuel Goldwyn with the roaring MGM lion. Both T.E. Lawrence, ‘the uncrowned King of Arabia’, and Peter O’Toole who portrayed him are Leos.

Writers of note include Percy Bysshe Shelley and Alfred Lord Tennyson, Emily Bronte, and JK Rowling who is currently enjoying the limelight with the premiere of her latest Harry Potter play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.Mme Helena Blavatsky and Dorothy Parker. Bindi Irwin the extroverted

daughter of the late Steve Irwin illustrates the Leo’s ease before the cameras. The renowned Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Gustav Jung, who coined the word,’ individuation’, was a Leo.

Leo Health and Anatomy

Physiologically, Leo rules the heart. Vanda Sawtell in her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, states that the cell salt for Leo is Mag. phos. which acts upon the motor nerves. Through the sensory nerves we feel pain or sensation, and response to the sensation received through these nerves results in motion or action. It is no coincidence that the Sanskrit root for Magnesium is mag., which means to love, giving it Divine connotations. Mag. phos. is the great anti-pain salt, and is indicated in all cases of cramp and spasm, or where application of heat brings relief. Headaches, neuralgias, earache, spasmodic twitching of eyes or limbs, menstrual colic, convulsions, and all heart troubles are aided by this cell salt. Mag. phos. helps one to let go and relax. Vanda Sawtell claims that the best medicine for Leos is love, peace, and harmony. They need plenty of water, sleep, deep breathing, also recreation and entertainment. With their generous natures and broad outlook they are not suited to occupations requiring petty details. They are capable of rising to positions of trust and responsibility.

The colours for Leo are gold, yellows, royal blue and red. They also respond well to the regal purple which cools their fiery temperament. Leo rules metallic gold, the royal metal. The gemstones for Leo are yellow topaz and yellow sapphire. Healing aromas include basil, cinnamon, frankincense, juniper, neroIi and rosemary. Flowers and herbs include dahlia, yellow lily, red poppy, marigold and sunflower. Homeopathic remedy is chamomilla which is indicated for treatment of colds and fevers and easing digestion and tension. Bach flower essences recommended include vine for bossiness and inflexibility and chicory for possessiveness and attention seeking behaviour. The healing musical note for Leo is E.

Re the Leo diet more vegetables and less meat is recommended to calm their fiery natures. They should avoid meats that are heating such as beef, turkey and lamb. Vegetables that contain iron such as spinach, kale and wheat grass are beneficial. Blue fruits such as grapes, berries are recommended. Nuts, raisins and lentils are also beneficial for the Leo diet.

Overview for Leo for 2017
The karmic North Node is in your sign of Leo and there will be two eclipses in your sign of Leo – the first being an appulse lunar eclipse occurring on 11 February and the second is a solar total eclipse on 21/22 August 2017.

CareerThere is not a lot of planetary activity in your career sector. Mercury’s presence here from 1-20 April and then again from 17 May to 6 June facilitates communication and networking. Venus graces your career sector with her presence from 7 June to 6 July bringing harmony and cooperation with colleagues.

Work and HealthPluto, the planet of deep transformation, continues its passage in your work and health sector which can disrupt work routines and challenge your health. Therefore, it is important to maintain good health regimes, sufficient sleep, physical exercise and a healthy diet. With Pluto moving through this sector you should not take any illness at face value. Poor health at this time is Pluto’s way of alerting us that you need to redress the imbalance in your life. Pluto brings to conscious awareness what is grumbling beneath the surface. If you are stubbornly holding down a job that makes you discontented then Pluto’s role may cause you to lose your job so that you are forced to let go and seek more fulfilling work. You may find that the routine is punishing or that your colleagues are bullying you or scapegoating you. Whatever the circumstances you find yourself in Pluto is demanding that you surrender and move on rather than hang onto a job that no longer serves any purpose in your life.

FinancesMercury, the ruler of commerce, will pay an extended visit to your finance sector from 26 July to 31 August and then again from 11 – 30 September. Part of Mercury’s passage here will be in retrograde motion making it an ideal time to review your financial commitments. Venus graces your finance sector with her presence from 21 September to 14 October. There will also be a solar annular eclipse in your debt and taxes sector on 22 February which will bring issues to a head to be resolved. Neptune, the planet of losses, continues its sojourn here. The predominance of planetary activity here make it imperative that you read all contracts carefully and keep your taxes up to date. Neptune’s lesson is one of non attachment so any attachments to the material world can be tenuous.

RelationshipsYour relationship and partnership sector is activated by the presence of the karmic South Node and a partial lunar eclipse which occurs here on 7 August. Gracious Venus, curious Mercury and radiant Sun all pay a visit to your relationship sector. Mercury’s presence here from 8 – 25 February encourages communication and networking. The Sun’s rays here from 20 January to 18 February encourage your love of luxury and adulation which is second nature to the Leo.

Home and FamilyThe main players influencing your domestic sector during 2017 are quicksilver Mercury and gentle Venus. Mercury pays a visit to your domestic sector from 18 October – 5 November making it an ideal time to communicate and network with family members and organise tradespeople. Venus graces your domestic sector with her presence from 8 November to 1 December bringing harmony and cooperation on the home front and a desire to beautify your home.

Creativity and ChildrenSaturn, the planet of hard work and responsibility continues its sojourn in your romance, creativity, and children sector until 20 December 2017. This gives a serious note to what is normally considered a playful sector enabling you to restructure this area of your life. Part of Saturn’s passage here will be in retrograde motion until it turn direct on 25 August. Venus pays visits to your solar 5th house of creativity and children from 2 – 25 December inspiring your creativity and bringing fun and pleasure into your activities with children and your romantic escapades. The Sun radiates in your creativity sector from 23 November to 21 December adding impetus to your creative urges. You may take up a hobby or just indulge your inner child. However you choose to express this energy, pleasure, fun and luxury are the name of the game. Mercury’s presence there from 6 November to 11 January facilitates communication and networking with children.

Travel and StudyExciting and unpredictable Uranus continues to activate your 9th house of study, travel and adventure. This would be an ideal time to just pack your bags and escape on a journey to some exotic location or to enrol in some unusual study to satisfy your yearnings for something exciting in your life. With Venus’s influence here from 4 February to 3 April and then again from 29 April to 6 June making it a perfect time for that holiday romance.

FriendshipsVenus and Mercury activate you social sector. Mercury will pay a visit here from 7 – 21 June giving you opportunities for networking and communicating with your social circle. Venus graces your social sector with her presence from 6 – 31 July adding to your charm and charisma promoting harmonious connections with your friends and associates. Spending time with your women friends or espousing women’s issues will be a priority now.

SpiritualitySun, Mercury and Venus pay visits here in June, July and August making it an ideal time for introspection and to attend a spiritual retreat and record your dreams and musings in a journal.

New Moon in Leo 23 July, Full Moon Lunar Eclipse 8 Aug, Total Solar Eclipse 21/22 AugThe New Moon occurs at 0 degrees 44 Leo on 23 July 7.45 pm AEST Sydney time. The New Moon marks the beginning of an entire new cycle of activity. It is a time to sow seeds which will come to fruition at the Full Moon phase. Being in the sign of Leo, the sign ruled by the Sun it promotes creativity, playfulness and joy. It may also be quite dramatic with Mars conjuncting the New Moon squaring Uranus as well Jupiter square Pluto. Mitigating factors include a grand trine between Mercury, Saturn and Uranus and Venus makes a trine with Jupiter. This will be a precursor to the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius on 8 August and then the Total Solar Eclipse in Leo on 21/22 August which traces a path across the central west of the United States – Trump’s rust belt base – available for view on NASA Eclipse website so

Path of Total Solar Eclipse across central west of United States

watch for developments there. The total solar eclipse will also impact the natal chart of President Trump (14 June 1946 10.54 am Queens NY, himself born on an eclipse) with the eclipse in an almost exact conjunction with Trump’s Mars and Leo ascendant while transiting Saturn will conjunct his natal Moon and South Node in Sagittarius. The eclipse falls in the 9th house of the US chart concerning legal matters, foreign affairs, immigration, travel, higher education, philosophy and religion.

From Russia with Love

As I write this post President Trump has warned special counsel Robert Mueller against investigating his family’s finances including its links with Russian oligarchs which would involve Trump’s taxes taking it beyond the scope of the probe into ties between his administration and Russia in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday. he is seeing if his lawyers can undercut the extent of the investigation by Robert Mueller. He has also asked his lawyers about a possible presidential pardon for himself and his inner circle. He has also attacked attorney general Jeff Sessions for having recused himself from the Russian probe which commentators have claimed is an attack by Trump on the independence of US legal system. Watch this space!

The Personality asserts: Let isolation rule and yet the crowd exists.
The Soul sounds its note: I build a lighted house and therein dwell.

Cancer Ingress & the Winter/Summer Solstice
Happy Birthday to all the Cancerians who celebrate their birthdays between June 21 and July 22. The Cancer Ingress coincides with the Winter/Summer Solstice which occurs 21 June.

New Moon Super Moon in Cancer 23/24 June

There will be a New Moon Super Moon in Cancer on 23/24 June.The New Moon in Cancer will occur 24 June at 1.30 AEDT Sydney time. The New Moon is a time to sow new seeds which will come to fruition at the Full Moon. The Moon in Cancer gives us an opportunity to nurture ourselves and to attune to our innermost feelings and honour our needs symbolic of the Divine feminine.

Cancer is one of the three water signs along with Scorpio and Pisces. Water is the element which denotes emotions, feelings and sensitivity. Cancer is one of the 4 cardinal signs – the others being Aries, Libra and Capricorn. In the Northern Hemisphere the summer solstice begins at 0 degrees Cancer while in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the winter solstice. For about three days the Sun remains at maximum latitudinal elevation, hence it is known as the Gate of the Northern Sun.

Esoterically, Cancer is known as the Gate into physical incarnation, and the glyph for Cancer is the two breasts, symbolising nurturing and motherhood. It is the sign of the Universal Mother and fertility, the sign which heralds the Northern summer with its pulsating life force coming to the fore. Cancer the crab not only symbolises nurturing but also tenacity, delineated by the crab’s claw. Originally in Babylon in 400 BC, the sign of Cancer was represented by the tortoise, and then in ancient Egypt in the Zodiac of Denderah it was replaced by the scarab the symbol of immortal life. The scarab meant ‘only begotten i.e. birth into incarnation. The month of June in ancient Egypt was called “meore” which again means rebirth

The Constellation of Cancer

Even the constellation of Cancer encompasses the theme of nurturing, with the constellation Praesaepe which means the manger or crib. In his book,’ Alan Oken’s Complete Astrology’, Alan Oken writes that modern astrologers refer to it as “the beehive” Cancer was called “the coffin” by the Hebrews and “the grave of Lazarus” or “the womb”. Cancer rises backwards in the sky eluding its adversaries. There is no bright star in Cancer, in keeping with its being a sign of hiding and retreat. Alice Bailey, in ‘The Labours of Hercules’ elaborates on the esoteric symbolism for the glyph for Cancer: The glyph for Cancer is composed of two “asses” tails and these again link up with the gospel story with the story of the manger. There are two asses connected with the birth of Jesus, the one which the Virgin rode to Bethlehem prior to the birth, and the other on which she rode to Egypt, after the birth. Close to the sign Cancer are two bright stars, one called Asellus Borealis or the northern ass, and the other, Asellus Australis, or the southern ass. There is also the third time, when Christ rode into Jerusalem during his brief moment of triumph on Palm Sunday.

Moon, theRuler ofCancer

The Moon, the ruler of Cancer, along with the Sun is referred to as one of the ‘Lights’. The sun is known as the ‘Light of day’ and the Moon, the ‘Light of night. The Moon is representative of the feminine principle, Eros or relatedness and the yin. Primitive people attributed great powers to the Moon, believing that it could cause women’s pregnancy. It was a symbol of fertility, responsible for planting, fertility and pregnancy. The waxing moon was regarded as benign but the waning Moon was seen as destructive – something to be feared. In the mythology of most cultures the Moon was symbolic of the Great Mother Goddess, often portrayed with the symbol of the Moon. In Egypt she was represented by Hathor with her horned crescent headdress; Hecate was portrayed as the three headed hound symbolising the three phases of the moon – Persephone, the maiden or New Moon, Demeter, the matron or Full Moon and Hecate, the dark Moon or crone. The Mother Goddess had a dual role as Opener and Closer of the Womb. In her light phase she was life-giver, but in her dark phase she was life destroyer, as was the role of grieving Demeter, the goddess of the grain, when she stopped all living things. The ancient Chinese revered Kwan Yin, ‘Lady of the Moon’, as the World Mother in her capacity as Goddess of Mercy and protectress of children.

Lunar Cycles and Conception

The Moon is associated with the pull of the ocean’s tides and with women’s menstrual cycles. In fact in many cultures and languages, the word for moon is synonymous with menstruation. The Moon’s phases are symbolic of the womb shedding its lining, and the snake shedding its skin. Many goddesses were portrayed with snakes accompanying them. The snake also symbolises the subterranean and phallic power associated with the goddess.

Eugene Jonas, the Czech psychiatrist, rediscovered the ancient secrets of how the moon affects a woman’s ability to conceive, the sex of a child, and the viability of the embryo.

In his study of the mentally ill, Dr Leonard Ravitz of Duke University, discovered marked changes coinciding with the phases of the Moon in both normal and mentally unstable people. The more disturbed the patients were the more the Moon affected them. This especially showed on the night of the Full Moon. Medical emergency staff have attested to the fact that their busiest night of the month always occurs on the Full Moon. Hence the word,’ lunatic’, referring to a crazy person affected by the Moon. Cancerians, being ruled by the Moon are often regarded as moody, their moods reflecting the fluctuating phases of the Moon and the ocean’s tides.

Dane Rudhyar, in his book, ‘The Lunation Cycle’, delineates the 8 moon phases, and depending under which phase we are born i.e. Full Moon, New Moon, etc. it describes our personality and destiny.

The Labour of Hercules – The Capture of the Doe or Hind

In the book, ‘The Labours of Hercules’, Alice Bailey relates the test for Cancer in the fourth labour of Hercules. Hercules’ teacher tells him that he has to capture the doe which belongs to Artemis, but Diana, the goddess of the woods, also lays claim to it. However, he is told that it belongs to neither of these deities but to the Lord and that he must rescue it and bear it to the holy shrine of Mycenae. Both goddesses foil Hercules’ attempts to capture the doe for a whole year. Finally he captures the elusive doe while it is sleeping close to a quiet pool, wearied from its flight. He bears it in his arms close to his heart. On returning to his teacher and reporting that the labour is done, his teacher points him in the direction of the hill and there again is the doe. The teacher explains to his pupil that the test must be done again and again. The doe is very elusive and no sooner has Hercules glimpsed it, than it has disappeared again. Alice Bailey comments that this is one of the shortest stories but it is one of the most profound. There is no success for the aspirant until he transmutes instinct into intuition just as intellect needs to be balanced with intuition. Cancer is the sign wherein the duality of form and of the soul is unified in the physical body. There is deep symbolism attached to each of the characters in this story. When Hercules carries the doe into the shrine, it is recognised by Apollo, the Sun god, as the spiritual intuition. A battle ensues amongst the three of them. For Diana, the huntress, the doe represents intellect, for Apollo it represents spiritual intuition and for Artemis it represents instinct. To sum up, intellect carried into the holy shrine by Hercules is transformed into intuition, which becomes aware of spiritual realities that neither intellect nor instinct can reveal to him. There is also some significance in the fact that Hercules bears the doe close to his heart, representing love and compassion, which are traits to be developed during the Cancerian phase.

Cancerian Hall of Fame

Being the nurturer of the zodiac, Cancerians are drawn to caring professions such as nursing, midwifery, teaching, social work and healing. Cancer, ruling food and beverages, is well represented in the hospitality industry as restaurateurs, chefs and waiters. They are also attracted to high finance, as well as making great performers in the arts, with their vivid imaginations and zany sense of humour. Nelson Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller symbolise the Cancerian’s money making ability.

Cancer has its share of much loved icons such as Diana, Princess of Wales, the people’s princess or in her own words, the ‘Queen of Hearts’, whose tragic untimely death caused a global outpouring of grief. Her son, Prince William who shares his mother’s good looks and charisma is born with both the Sun and Moon in sensitive Cancer.

Another much loved icon is the Dalai Lama whose Buddhist teachings espouse love and compassion. Cancer, ruling home and country has produced two outstanding patriots in Nelson Mandela and Xanana Gusmao.

Perhaps the youngest example of a shining light of a Cancerian is the courageous young Pakistani Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head and the neck by the Taliban for her championing education for girls. She received a standing ovation after addressing the United Nations on her 16th birthday 12 July 2013. President George W. Bush and Donald Rumsfeld also demonstrate the Cancerian tendency to march to the patriot’s drum as does their nemesis, Cindy Sheehan, the Cancerian grieving American Mum whose son died in the war in Iraq.

Dan Brown, the American whose controversial blockbuster book and movie, the Da Vinci Code, champions the feminine principle is also a Cancerian. Tom Hanks, the hero of the film is also a Cancerian. The lonely heart balladeer, Chris Isaak whose soulful songs have touched so many, is also a Cancerian. Other Cancerian celluloid heroes include Charles Laughton, Donald Sutherland, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Isabelle Adjani and

Meryl Streep. Comedians include Phyllis Diller, Red Skelton, Robin Williams, Terry Thomas, Mel Brooks and Dave Allen. Other famous Cancerians include Elizabeth Kubler Ross whose groundbreaking work on death and dying lifted the taboo on the subject of death. Cancerians whose vivid imagination has been expressed in prose include George Orwell, Herman Hesse, Marcel Proust, Saint Exupery, Franz Kafka, Ernest Hemingway, and Barbara Cartland, the Queen of the Romance Novel, and step-grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales. Musicians of note include Ringo Starr, Louis Armstrong, Edward Elgar and Oscar Hammerstein.

Another Cancerian who has featured prominently in the news is the Australian born Julian Assange of Wikileaks fame.

Cancerian Health and Anatomy

In her book, ‘Astrology and Biochemistry’, Vanda Sawtell notes that physiologically the fourth sign, Cancer, pertains to the breast, stomach and spleen, and governs expansion and contraction, elasticity and tenacity. It is a fluidic sign and all the organs which it rules are concerned with the secretion of fluids. 1. Mother’s milk (breast). 2. the chyle (digested food elements of the stomach) 3. the white corpuscles of the blood (spleen). Cancer is the most fertile of all the twelve signs. Cancer, being ruled by the Moon is concerned with growth and reproduction. However, the hidden power within this sign is that of Nature’s power to reproduce otherwise the body would not be able to recreate itself daily. It has to do with the ceaseless formation or birth of corpuscles within the spleen, and not with procreative germs which can only be accomplished in the testes and ovaries.

The biochemic salt related to this sign is Calcium fluoride, a hard substance possessing nevertheless a peculiar property of elasticity. Calc. fluor. is an important constituent of the enamel of the teeth, the finger nails, bones, crystalline lens of the eye, and in the elastic fibre of the muscular tissue. When this cell salt is deficient the skin becomes cracked, and fissures and splits tend to form. Prolapsed organs, varicose veins, hardening of the arteries or testicles, valvular heart troubles, haemorrhoids, receding gums, and loose teeth are all indications that the tissues have lost their elasticity. Cataracts, blurred vision, hard growths and osseous lumps are all evidence of a lack of this salt.

There is another interesting and important function of this salt which must not be overlooked. The brain has a fine membrane like a spider web covering it, called the Arachnoid, and Calc. fluor. is a constituent of this membrane. When the spider web-like filaments of this membrane are plentifully supplied with Calc. fluor. They are elastic, pliable and strong, and thoughts are easily connected, and we have the characteristic of Cancerians, a good memory, or a tenacious memory which is the ability to hold on to thoughts. When this cell salt is deficient, however, the tiny web-like filaments become flabby, like a worn out piece of elastic. Connection of thought becomes difficult, and so we get a poor memory or forgetfulness which is lack of mental elasticity. The individual becomes hesitant, finding difficulty in expressing themselves as though the words were actually held in leash by elastic threads which had become worn, and lost their power to contract. The symbol of the crab for this sign is very aptly chosen, not only because of its tenacity, but because it is a crustacean, having a hard shell or crust. The word crustacean in Greek means crystal, having the power to crystallise or harden: it also means a hard coating or covering, a shell or horny substance. One can see how well the symbol fits the function of Calc. fluor. the cell salt allocated to Cancer.

Cancer rules the colours light blue, silver and white and their birthstone is ruby. They also respond to the energies of pearl and moonstone. The metal for Cancer is silver in keeping with the appearance of the Moon.

Healing aromas include chamomile, jasmine lily, myrrh, sandalwood and rose. The healing musical note for Cancer is E. With the Cancerian proneness to digestive problems, foods which ferment in the stomach such as refined breads, sugars, pastry and meats should be avoided at all costs. Fish is a better option for the sensitive Cancerian digestive system. Diet for Cancerians should include the cabbage group such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, mustard, greens, watercress and cauliflower. They should drink plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Overview for Cancerians for 2017

Good news for Cancerians – Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, continues its passage through your domestic sector. This will imbue you with optimism and a sense of adventure and will bring more opportunities for growth in the areas of home and family, There may be additions to your family or you may be enlarging you home or using it as centre for study. Uranus, the planet of sudden change, continues its journey through your career sector while transformative Pluto continues its sojourn through your marriage and relationship sector. Neptune, the planet of spirituality, and Chiron, the wounded healer, continue their sojourn through your travel and study sector.

Relationships

Powerful Pluto continues his passage through your relationship sector. Therefore, you will find that you will be attracted to deep and meaningful relationships which will be deeply transformative. Light hearted dalliances are not for you. You will act as a catalyst for change for your partner and vice versa. Passion and intrigue will be the name of the game. It is important that you have deep and honest communication with your partner to avoid emotional manipulation and power struggles.

Career

Uranus, the planet of sudden change, is still moving through your career and goals sector bringing an element of unpredictability and surprise to this area of your life. You may have a sudden career change or revision your goals. It may be challenging but could also be very exciting as you decide to shake off the cobwebs of a career that has become stale. Your need for freedom and individuality will be paramount. You may be drawn to set up your own business rather than take orders from someone. This energy will endow you with inspiration to try your hand at something new – something innovative and edgy. It can sometimes come in the guise of a redundancy where you are forced to make changes in your career. Uranus rules astrology, energetic healing and IT so these may be fields that you could be attracted to.

Health and Work

Saturn, the Lord of Karma is moving through your health and work sector. Part of Saturn’s motion here will be in retrograde motion from 6 April to 25 August. During Saturn’s retrograde motion the energy is turned inward. Saturn is about responsibility and hard work. Fleet footed Mercury, the messenger of the gods, will pay a visit to your health and work sector from 6 November 2017 to 11 January 2018 facilitating communication. Part of Saturn’s visit here will be in retrograde motion from 3 – 22 December which may cause confusion or misunderstandings. Gentle Venus also pays a visit here from 2 – 25 December bringing harmony and reconciliation in the workplace.

Finances

Your finance sector is highlighted by the karmic north and south nodes and three eclipses. There will be two eclipses in your own finance sector the first being an appulse lunar eclipse on 11 February and the second a total solar eclipse on 21 August 2017. There will also be a partial lunar eclipse on 7 August in your debt and taxes sector so financial issues will be brought to a head. Sun, Mercury and Venus also highlight your wealth and values sector. The Sun’s presence here from 23 July to 22 August will promote your financial interests and give a boost to your self-esteem. Mercury will pay a visit here from 7 – 26 August making it an ideal time for you to network and communicate about your finances. Venus will grace you with her presence in your finance sector from 27 August to 21 September enhancing your finances.

Home and Family

Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, continues its passage through your domestic sector. This will imbue you with optimism and a sense of adventure and will bring more opportunities for growth in the areas of home and family, There may be additions to your family or you may be enlarging or renovating your home or using it as centre for study. Your domestic sector will be activated by the presence of Mars. Feisty Mars’s presence here from 23 October to 9 December will imbue you with plenty of energy to take charge of family matters but you need to take care not to stir up trouble by being too pushy. Venus, the goddess of love, brings harmony to the home and hearth when she pays a visit to your domestic sector from 15 October to 7 November. You may feel the urge to beautify your home as your home is your castle. Mercury’s visit here from 1-17 October facilitates communication with your family and is an ideal time to do repairs and renovations.

Creativity, Children and Romance

Mercury and Venus will pay visits to your creativity and romance sector. Mercury will pay a visit here from 18 October to 5 November facilitating communication with your children as well as giving you an opportunity to get in touch with your inner child. Gentle Venus follows close on Mercury’s heels paying a visit from 8 November to 1 December bringing harmony to your relationships with your children and opportunities for enhanced creativity.

Friendships, Groups and Goals

Sun, Mercury and Venus will highlight your friendship sector. The Sun’s presence here from 21 May to 21 June will enable you to show your leadership skills in your social circles. Mercury’s presence here from 7 – 21 June will encourage networking and ensure a busy social calendar. Venus’s presence here from 6 – 31 July will ensure harmony and pleasurable activities with your friends.

Travel and Higher Education

Neptune, the planet of spirituality and Chiron, the wounded healer continue their passage through your 9th house of travel and study. You may be drawn to undertake a spiritual pilgrimage to some exotic foreign country that you have always yearned to visit or you may take up some creative or spiritual studies. Mercury and Venus also contribute their energy to your travel and adventure sector. Quicksilver Mercury pays a visit to your adventure sector from 26 February to 13 March motivating you to do research or study. Venus graces your travel and education with her presence from 4 January to 3 February bringing harmony and pleasure here. It would be an ideal time to have that pleasure cruise.